Higher Plasma Levels of Endocannabinoids and Analogues Correlate With a Worse Cardiometabolic Profile in Young Adults

Abstract

Context: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a signaling system composed of endocannabinoids (eCBs), their receptors, and the enzymes involved in their synthesis and metabolism. Alterations in the ECS are linked to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Objective: Here, we investigated the relationship between plasma levels of eCBs and their analogues with body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: The study included 133 young adults (age 22.1 ± 2.2 years, 67% women). Fasting plasma levels of eCBs and their analogues were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Body composition, brown adipose tissue (BAT) volume, glucose uptake, and traditional cardiometabolic risk factors were measured. Results: Plasma levels of eCBs and several eCB analogues were positively correlated with adiposity and traditional cardiometabolic risk factors (eg, serum insulin and triacylglyceride levels, all r ≥ 0.17 and P ≤ .045). Plasma levels of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and N-pentadecenoylethanolamine were negatively correlated with BAT volume and glucose uptake (all r ≤ −0.17 and P ≤ .047). We observed that the plasma levels of eCBs and their analogues were higher in metabolically unhealthy overweight–obese participants than in metabolically healthy overweight–obese participants. Conclusion: Our findings show that the plasma levels of eCBs and their analogues are related to higher levels of adiposity and worse cardiometabolic profile.