Role of endocannabinoids in cardiovascular shock.

Endocannabinoids (e.g. anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol or virodhamine) regulate the function of the cardiovascular system mainly in the following way: 1) by acting via CB(1) receptors, 2) by activation of CB(2) receptors, and 3) by modifying the function of vanilloid TRPV1, serotonin 5-HT(3) and alpha(7)-subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Endocannabinoids are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and of hypotension associated with haemorrhagic, endotoxic, and cardiogenic shock, and with advanced liver cirrhosis. There is also evidence for their involvement in the control of atherosclerosis.