Antiarrhythmic properties of a cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonist

The cannabinoid (CB1) receptor agonist HU-210 (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) exhibited a pronounced antiarrhythmic effect in rats with the adrenaline (epinephrine) and aconitine induced arrhythmia models. At the same time, the intracerebrovascular introduction of HU-210 (500 or 5000 ng) did not affect the adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. The CB1 receptor pretreatment (blocking) with the SR 141716 antagonist (3 mg/kg) and the introduction of a ganglion blocker (hexamethonium, 10 mg/kg) did not inhibit the antiarrhythmic effect of HU-210. It is concluded that the antiarrhythmic effect of intravenously injected HU-210 is neither related to the CB 1 receptor activation nor mediated by the autonomous (vegetative) nervous system.