Pharmacological properties cellular systems

Calpain inhibition may represent an important mechanism for future drug development. Control of calpain activity may limit the invasive properties of cells and thereby provides a possible mechanism to limit the invasiveness of tumors or inhibits the development of chronic inflammation. For the moment, pharmacological inhibitors of calpains are still not capable of differentiating among different calpain isoforms in cellular systems or in vivo. The importance of calpains in diseases will continue to stimulate the development of new and better inhibitors. 

Adrenergic receptors (ARs) are the interface between the sympathetic nervous system and the cardiovascular system. ARs include two major subtypes, a and P, based on their pharmacological properties and molecular structure. The a-ARs consist of three ar AR subtypes and three o -ARs. P-ARs are also classified into three well-characterized subtypes Pb p2, and P3. Although they respond to the same hormones (norepinephrine and epinephrine), a- and P-ARs differ significantly in the types of cellular responses they mediate. 

Cannabinoids are able to cause different effects at the level of various systems and/or organs the most important effects occur on the central nervous system and on the cardiovascular system. In fact, they are able to affect mood, memory, motor coordination and cognition, and they increase heart rate and variate the systemic arterial pressure. Furthermore, it is well known the capability of cannabinoids to reduce intraocular pressure and to affect the respiratory and endocrine systems (L. E. Hollister, Health Aspects of Cannabis, Pharmacological Reviews, 38,1-20,1986). More recently, it was found that they suppress the cellular and humoral immune response and have antiinflammatory properties (A. W. Wirth et al.. Antiinflammatory Properties of Cannabichromene, Life Science, 26,1991-1995,1980). 

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