Endothelial function

Endothelial function is how well the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels regulates vessel widening, blood clotting and inflammation.

The endothelium releases nitric oxide to relax the surrounding muscle and widen the vessel, along with other signals that constrict it, discourage clots and control the passage of immune cells into tissue. Endothelial dysfunction, in which nitric oxide production falls and the lining becomes sticky and inflamed, is an early step in atherosclerosis and is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol. Clinicians and researchers measure it with flow-mediated dilation of the arm artery, blood markers, or specialized fingertip probes.

Cannabinoid receptors and related targets such as TRPV1 and PPAR-gamma are present in endothelial cells, and cannabidiol has been studied in laboratory models and a few small human studies of blood pressure and vascular response. Those findings are preliminary, and no cannabinoid has an approved use for any cardiovascular condition.