Dietary fatty acid intake and gut microbiota determine circulating endocannabinoidome signaling beyond the effect of body fat

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 29;10(1):15975. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72861-3.

Abstract

The endocannabinoidome encompasses several fatty acid (FA)-derived mediators, including the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), which served as targets for anti-obesity drug development, and their congener N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs) and 2-monoacyl-glycerols (2‑MAGs), which are involved in food intake and energy metabolism. Body weight and fat distribution have been suggested as determinants of peripheral endocannabinoid levels. We aimed at investigating factors, beyond body fat composition, that are associated with circulating NAE and 2-MAG levels in a heterogeneous human population. Plasma NAEs and 2-MAGs were measured using LC-MS/MS in a cross-sectional sample of healthy men and women (n = 195) covering a wide range of BMI and individuals before and after a 2-day Mediterranean diet (n = 21). Circulating levels of all 2-MAGs and NAEs, other than N-oleoyl-ethanolamine (OEA), correlated with body fat mass and visceral adipose tissue (0.26 < r < 0.54). NAE levels were elevated in individuals with elevated fat mass, while 2-MAGs were increased in individuals with predominantly visceral body fat distribution. Dietary intakes of specific FAs were associated with 2-AG and omega-3-FA-derived NAEs or 2-MAGs, irrespective of the body fat distribution. Some gut bacterial families (e.g. Veillonellaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae and Akkermansiaceae) were associated with variations in most NAEs or omega-3-FA-derived 2‑MAGs, independently of fat mass and dietary FA intake. Finally, a 2-day Mediterranean diet intervention increased circulating levels of NAEs and 2-MAGs in agreement with changes in FA intake (p < 0.01). Self-reported intake and short-term dietary intervention increased in oleic acid and EPA and DHA intake as well as certain gut microbiota taxa are associated to circulating NAEs and 2‑MAGs independently of adiposity measures, thus highlighting the potential importance of these variables in determining endocannabinoidome signaling in humans.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arachidonic Acids / blood*
  • Bacteria / classification*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Body Fat Distribution
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet, Mediterranean*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Endocannabinoids / blood*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
  • Glycerides / blood*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / blood*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Dietary Fats
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Fatty Acids
  • Glycerides
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • glyceryl 2-arachidonate
  • anandamide

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