The association of dietary patterns with endocannabinoids levels in overweight and obese women

Abstract

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.

Potential of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL), and Diacylglycerol Lipase (DAGL) Enzymes as Targets for Obesity Treatment: A Narrative Review

“…Numerous studies have found a positive association between circulating levels of endocannabinoids (AEA and/or 2-AG) and obesity in humans [10][11][12]. The elevated levels of endocannabinoids in human obesity are related to diet [13] and have been found to decrease after bariatric surgery [14].…”

At the heart of microbial conversations: endocannabinoids and the microbiome in cardiometabolic risk

“… 85 And more recently close links have been made between dietary lipid intake and endocannabinoid levels in both males and females. 86 , 87 These results may account for the phenomenon commonly referred to as the ‘munchies,’ in which cannabinoid use is linked with an increase in food intake. Additionally, through interactions with the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways, endocannabinoids promote the drive to seek high reward foods.…”

The circulating and central endocannabinoid system in obesity and weight loss

“…A study by Yagin et al found that a Western dietary pattern was positively associated with circulating levels of 2-AG and AEA. Women with eating patterns in line with a healthy diet had lower levels of circulating eCB than those with eating patterns not in line with a healthy diet(101).…”