The chronic over-activation of the endogenously produced cannabinoids in obesity has been demonstrated in several studies. A common 385C>A single nucleotide polymorphism of the fatty acid amide hydrolase, one the most important inactivating enzymes of endogenous cannabinoids, has been shown to be associated with obese phenotype. This study was designed to investigate the FAAH gene polymorphisms and to compare the obesity indices between different genotypes in Iranian overweight/obese women. A total of 180 healthy overweight/obese subjects (BMI = 25 to 40 kg/m 2 ) and 86 normal weight individuals (BMI = 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 ) were genotyped for 385 C/A polymorphism of FAAH using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR. Anthropometric indices including BMI, waist circumference, neck circumference, waist to height ratio, fat mass were evaluated. A written informed consent form was given by the participants. The genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different between the overweight/obese and control groups (P = 0.04). Significant differences were observed between the CC genotype and the AA+CA genotype regarding the anthropometric indices (P < 0.05). Compared to CC group, a higher BMI, WC, WHtR, NC and fat mass was identified in allele A carriers group. After adjusting for age, marital and physical activity status, it was revealed that having the CA/AA genotype increased the probability of obesity risk almost two times (P < 0.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.67). Our findings showed that the frequency of A allele was greater in overweight/obese individuals. Also, a mutation in FAAH gene was associated with higher anthropometric indices and the CA/AA genotype increased significantly the possibility of being obese in Iranian women.
Background: Higher levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the main arachidonic acidderived endocannabinoids, are frequently reported in overweight and obese individuals. Recently, endocannabinoids have become a research interest in obesity area regarding their role in food intake. The relationship between dietary patterns and endocannabinoids is poorly understood; therefore, this study evaluated the association of the dietary patterns with AEA and 2-AG levels in overweight and obese women. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 183 overweight and obese females from Tabriz, Iran who aged between 19 and 50 years old and with mean BMI = 32.44 ± 3.79 kg/m 2 were interviewed. The AEA and 2-AG levels were measured, and the dietary patterns were assessed using food frequency questionnaire. To extract the dietary patterns, factor analysis was applied. The association between AEA and 2-AG levels and dietary patterns was analyzed by linear regression. Results: Three major dietary patterns including "Western", "healthy", and "traditional" were extracted. After adjusting for age, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass, higher levels of AEA and 2-AG were observed in participants who were in the highest quintile of the Western pattern (P < 0.05). Also, in both unadjusted and adjusted models, significantly lower levels of AEA and 2-AG were detected in the women of the highest quintile of the healthy pattern (P < 0.01). Moreover, there was no significant association between "traditional" pattern and AEA and 2-AG levels in both unadjusted and adjusted models (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In regard with the lower levels of endocannabinoids in healthy dietary pattern, adherence to healthy pattern might have promising results in regulating endocannabinoids levels.
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