Activation of cannabinoid receptors decreases the area of ischemic myocardial necrosis.

We studied the possibility of decreasing the area of ischemic necrosis during myocardial infarction with HU-210, a selective cannabinoid receptor agonist. Activation of cannabinoid receptors with HU-210 had practically no effect on collateral blood flow in the myocardium, but considerably decreased the area of necrosis. There results indicate that cannabinoid receptor agonist HU-210 possesses cardioprotective activity and delays the formation of necrotic zones during coronary occlusion and reperfusion.