Abstracts - Postgraduate Student Projects

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The Use of Cannabinoids to Modulate Endothelial Dysfunction
(The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, 2022-01-28) Shepherd, Deidre
Endothelial dysfunction can be characterized by a reduced production and bioavailability of nitric oxide and an imbalance of endothelial derived relaxing and contracting factors. This leads to impaired functionality of blood vessels within the vascular system. The endothelium is responsible for many of the mechanisms involved in the regulation and maintenance of vascular tone and homeostasis. Changes in endothelial function can lead to the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. This study will focus on the impact of synthetic cannabinoids on endothelial dysfunction to investigate their ability to modulate the condition. It will consist of in vitro studies using human aortic endothelial cells to examine biochemical marker activity and cell signaling pathways which would be followed by animal studies. Male Sprague-Dawley rats will be fed with a high fat diet to induce endothelial dysfunction and will be treated with the cannabinoids to determine the effect it would have on the integrity of the blood vessels through vascular reactivity studies at the end of the treatment period.