A new study finds that cannabidiol (CBD) may reduce cardiac fibrosis and improved heart function in a form of heart failure characterized by impaired relaxation of the heart.
The study, published September 18 in the Journal of Molecular Medicine, examined the effects of CBD in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, commonly known as HFpEF.
HFpEF occurs when the heart can still pump a relatively normal proportion of the blood inside it but has difficulty relaxing and filling properly. The condition is associated with cardiac stiffness, fibrosis, inflammation and other abnormalities.
Researchers induced HFpEF in mice using a high-fat diet combined with L-NAME, a compound that inhibits nitric oxide production, for eight weeks. CBD was administered subcutaneously every three days.
Cardiac performance was measured using invasive pressure-volume loops, while researchers also examined heart tissue, oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular senescence and interactions between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.
CBD did not significantly reduce cardiac hypertrophy, or enlargement of heart muscle tissue. However, treatment improved cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction, indicating that the hearts were better able to relax and fill.
Researchers also observed a marked reduction in the accumulation of senescent cells. These are damaged or aging cells that stop dividing but can remain metabolically active and release inflammatory substances into surrounding tissue.
CBD treatment was additionally associated with reductions in systemic inflammatory cytokines and suppression of inflammation involving the NLRP3 pathway.
The researchers found that CBD appeared to preserve mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites, structures that allow two major components of cells to communicate and exchange signals. Disruption of these contact sites has been linked to inflammation, cellular aging and cardiovascular disease.
The authors said the findings provide evidence that CBD may exert cardioprotective effects in HFpEF by simultaneously influencing cellular senescence, inflammation and communication between cellular organelles.
They said additional research is needed to determine the signaling mechanisms involved and whether the findings can translate to humans.
Because the research was conducted in mice and CBD was delivered through subcutaneous injections, the results do not establish that CBD can prevent or treat heart failure in people.
