Abstract
The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 (M3-mAChR) is involved in
various physiological and pathological processes. Owing to specific
cardioprotective effects, M3-mAChR is an ideal diagnostic and
therapeutic biomarker for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Growing
evidence has linked M3-mAChR to the development of multiple CVDs. This
review summarizes the expression patterns, functions, and underlying
mechanisms of action of M3-mAChR in CVDs, especially
ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure.