Abstract
CONTEXT:
The endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and the related acylethanolamide oleoylethanolamide (OEA) have been implicated in energy expenditure (EE)-regulation and metabolic diseases. Muscle (fat-free mass, FFM) and fat (fat mass, FM) are metabolically active compartments and main determinants of EE.
OBJECTIVE:
To assess whether human muscle, adipose, and plasma endocannabinoids correlate with EE.
DESIGN:
Muscle, adipose, and plasma AEA, 2-AG, and OEA concentrations were measured via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. EE was assessed by indirect whole-room calorimetry.
SETTING:
Clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS:
Obese/overweight Native Americans of full (n=35) and ≥ half (n=21) Southwestern heritage.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
24hour-EE, sleeping EE (SLEEP), resting EE (REE), respiratory quotient (RQ), macronutrient oxidation.
RESULTS:
In full Natives, muscle AEA concentration correlated with SLEEP (r = -0.65, P = 0.004) and REE (r = -0.53, P = 0.02). Muscle 2-AG was associated with SLEEP (r = -0.75, P = 0.0003). Adipose OEA concentration correlated with RQ (r = -0.47, P = 0.04) and lipid oxidation (r = 0.51, P = 0.03). Plasma OEA concentration was associated with SLEEP (r = -0.52, P = 0.04). After adjustment for major determinants, these lipids explained nearly 20% of the additional variance of the respective measure. Similarly, in Native Americans of ≥ half Southwestern heritage, investigated lipids correlated with EE measures.
CONCLUSION:
Endocannabinoids in metabolically relevant peripheral tissues explained a large part of EE variation and may be involved in regulating EE. Dysregulation of peripheral endocannabinoids may predispose to metabolic diseases via an effect on EE and lipid oxidation.
- PMID: 29300902
- DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02257