P80Cannabinoid receptor CB2 prevents development of heart failure in a murine model of pressure overload

Purpose: Cardiac adaptation to pressure overload is associated with inflammatory reaction, which untreated leads to myocardial fibrosis and heart failure. We have recently demonstrated that endogenous cannabinoids and the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) are activated and associated with persistent inflammation in hypertrophic myocardium of patients with aortic valve stenosis. Therefore, we investigated the role of the CB2 in a mouse model of pressure overload. Methods: Transverse aortic constriction was performed in CB2-/--mice and their wildtype littermates (CB2+/+; n=8-12/group). Taqman® RT-qPCR analysis was performed after 3 and 7 days. After M-mode echocardiography and Millar® pressure-vol…