PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 3.L - Health Sciences

Gender Differences in the Effects of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors on Vascular Function and Remodeling

Name of the presenter

Kiss, Stella Tímea

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Authors

Stella Tímea Kiss^1,2, Zsolt Vass¹, Bálint Péter Bányai³, Kinga Shenker-Horváth^1,2, Kira Molnár¹, Nikoletta Marozsi¹, Eszter Mária Horváth³, György L. Nádasy³, Gabriella Dörnyei¹, Mária Szekeres^1,3
1: Department of Morphology and Physiology, Semmelweis University
2: Doctoral Collage, Semmelweis University
3: Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University

Text of the abstract

Introduction: The endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. Cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) mediate acute vasodilatory and antihypertensive effects, although their role in cardiovascular pathological conditions is still unclear. The vasomotor function and structural remodeling processes of blood vessels generally show sex differences.
Aims: Our goal is to reveal the role of CB1Rs and the impact of the gender in the effects of CB1Rs on vasomotor function and vascular remodeling processes.
Methods: The experiments were carried out on male and female CB1R knockout (CB1R-KO, n= 5 and 12) and wild-type (WT, n= 9 and 8) mice. Following anesthesia using Euthasol (50 mg/kg), the abdominal aortas were isolated for myography and for histological examination. Histological samples were placed in 4% formalin, followed by paraffin embedding and sectioning, then stained with hematoxylin-eosin and resorcinol-fuchsin. We determined the intima-media ratio, wall thickness, and elastic fiber ratio (density). We analyzed the contractile (to phenylephrine and angiotensin II) and endothelium-dependent relaxatory (to acetylcholine) responses of the abdominal aorta from previous myographic studies in male and female animals.
Results: In female CB1R-KO mice, the intima-media ratio was lower (0.07 vs. 0.10, p<0.05), while in male KO mice, elastin density was lower compared to WT mice (0.32 vs. 0.37, p<0.05). The contractile effects of phenylephrine and angiotensin II were significantly enhanced in male CB1R-KO mice compared to WT, while the relaxation was most pronounced in KO females (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that CB1R deficiency results in different vasomotor and remodeling functions in male and female blood vessels. The reduced contraction in WT males and the increased relaxation observed in CB1R-KO female mice can be explained by sex differences in the production of vasodilatory mediators (e.g., nitric oxide). Our results suggest that CB1R deficiency or inhibition may have a more beneficial effects on vascular remodeling processes in females.
Funding: Supported by PhD grants of the Semmelweis University (S.T.K., Z.V., B.P.B.), Hungarian National Grants EKÖP-2024-257 (S.T.K.), K139231 (to László Hunyady) and NKFIH-FK129206 (E.M.H.) and The Hungarian Society of Hypertension Research Grant 2025 (M.S.).