Contribution of Hypothermia and CB1 Receptor Activation to Protective Effects of TAK-937, a Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist, in Rat Transient MCAO Model

Background Cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists are expected to alleviate ischemic brain damage by modulating neurotransmission and neuroinflammatory responses via CB1 and CB2 receptors, respectively. In a previous study, TAK-937, a novel potent and selective CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist, was shown to exert significant cerebroprotective effects accompanied by hypothermia after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Sustained hypothermia itself induces significant neuroprotective effects. In the present studies, we examined the relative contribution of hypothermia and CB1 receptor activation to the cerebroprotective effects of TAK-937.