Acute and Subacute Cardiovascular Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid
JWH-018 in Rat
Abstract
The use of JWH-018, which is among the abused bonsai in the world and in
our country due to its psychostimulant effect, is increasing day by day.
Here, we evaluated the pharmacologic, cardiologic, biochemical, and
histopathological effects of acute and subacute administration of low
and high doses of JWH-018 in rats. The concentrations of JWH-018 and its
metabolites in the heart were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass
spectrometry. JWH-018 administration caused many cardiac pathologies
including dysregulation of the heart rate, and low blood pressure, also
induced cardiac arrhythmia, branch blocks, and ischemic ECG changes
depending on the drug dosage and the duration of treatment.
Echocardiography did not show any significant structural or functional
changes among the groups. The level of serum pro-brain natriuretic
peptide which is an indication of impaired cardiac capabilities become
observed to be elevated in a long-time excessive dose JWH-018 used
group. Histopathologic findings consistent with acute myocardial
ischemia were detected in the hearts of all groups. Loss of cross-talk
of myocardial fibrils, and prominent eosinophilic contraction bands were
early signs of acute myocardial infarction (4th and 12th hours), which
were more common in subacute groups and associated with ischemia. Desmin
staining was observed as increased in subacute groups and there were
marked contraction band dyneins. There is growing pharmacological and
pathological evidence of impairment, cardiac effects, and tissue injury
attributable to this emerging class of drugs.