Method and Kit for Regulation of Microvascular Tone

Abstract

Methods and kits for regulating arterial microvascular tone in which a composition comprising a COX-2 inhibitor and a cannabinoid receptor agonist are administered to a subject.

1 . A method for causing constriction of arterial microvasculature in a subject, comprising:
 injecting an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitory activity, and a carrier; and   monitoring the constriction of arterial microvasculature in the subject.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises COX-1 inhibitory activity. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compound having COX-2 inhibitory activity comprises ajulemic acid. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity comprises tetrahydrocannabinol. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises tetrahydrocannabinol and ajulemic acid. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in liquid form, further comprising:
 preparing a solution including a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, prior to preparing the solution:
 obtaining a lyophilized form of a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.   
   
   
       8 . A method for increasing blood pressure in a subject comprising:
 injecting, in an amount effective to increase blood pressure, a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitory activity, and a carrier; and   monitoring the blood pressure in the subject.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein, at the time of the injection, the subject is suffering from an acute decrease in blood pressure. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition comprises tetrahydrocanninol and ajulemic acid. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 identifying a predetermined blood pressure level;   determining whether the blood pressure has reached a predetermined level;   injecting an additional amount of the composition if the blood pressure has not reached the predetermined level.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition is in liquid form, further comprising:
 preparing a solution including a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, prior to preparing the solution:
 obtaining a lyophilized form of a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.   
   
   
       14 . A method for treating a subject for shock comprising:
 injecting a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier; and   monitoring the subject for symptoms of shock.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition further comprises COX-1 inhibitor activity. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition comprises ajulemic acid and tetrahydrocannabinol. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the shock is hemorrhagic shock. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 identifying hypotension associated with anesthetic agents; and   monitoring the subject for hypotension.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is in liquid form, further comprising:
 preparing a solution including a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising, prior to preparing the solution:
 obtaining a lyophilized form of a composition comprising a compound having cannabinoid receptor agonist activity, a compound having COX-2 inhibitor activity, and a carrier.