Plasma N-acylethanolamine and endocannabinoid levels in burning mouth syndrome: potential role in disease pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective was to measure endocannabinoid (eCB) ligands and non-cannabinoid N-acylethanolamine (NAE) molecules in plasma from individuals with burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and to determine if plasma eCB/NAE levels correlated with pain, inflammation and depressive symptomatology in this cohort.

STUDY DESIGN:

Plasma content of the eCBs, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), and the NAE molecules, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleolylethanolamide (OEA), were assessed in healthy subjects (n=8) and in a cohort of newly diagnosed BMS patients (n=9) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma eCBs and NAE profiles were correlated with self-rated oral cavity pain intensities, depressive symptomatology and plasma IL-8 levels.

RESULTS:

Plasma levels of PEA, but not OEA, AEA or 2-AG, were significantly elevated in patients with BMS, when compared to plasma from healthy individuals. Plasma PEA, OEA and AEA levels correlated with depressive symptomatology.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first evidence to indicate that circulating eCB/NAE levels are altered in BMS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.