A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Plasma Levels of Endocannabinoids and Their Analogues Are Related to Specific Fecal Bacterial Genera in Young Adults: Role in Gut Barrier Integrity




AuthorsOrtiz-Alvarez Lourdes, Xu Huiwen, Di Xinyu, Kohler Isabelle, Osuna-Prieto Francisco J., Acosta Francisco M., Vilchez-Vargas Ramiro, Link Alexander, Plaza-Díaz Julio, van der Stelt Mario, Hankemeier Thomas, Clemente-Postigo Mercedes, Tinahones Francisco J., Gil Angel, Rensen Patrick C. N. , Ruiz Jonatan R., Martinez-Tellez Borja

PublisherMDPI

Publication year2022

JournalNutrients

Journal name in sourceNUTRIENTS

Journal acronymNUTRIENTS

Article number 2143

Volume14

Issue10

Number of pages19

eISSN2072-6643

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102143

Web address https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/10/2143

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175886144


Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of plasma levels of endocannabinoids with fecal microbiota.

Methods: Plasma levels of endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), as well as their eleven analogues, and arachidonic acid (AA), were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 92 young adults. DNA extracted from stool samples was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lipopolysaccharide levels were measured in plasma samples.

Results: Plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues were not related to beta or alpha diversity indexes. Plasma levels of AEA and related N-acylethanolamines correlated positively with the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium genus (all rho >= 0.26, p <= 0.012) and Akkermansia genus (all rho >= 0.22, p <= 0.036), and negatively with the relative abundance of Bilophila genus (all rho <= -0.23, p <= 0.031). Moreover, plasma levels of 2-AG and other acylglycerols correlated positively with the relative abundance of Parasutterella (all rho >= 0.24, p <= 0.020) and Odoribacter genera (all rho >= 0.27, p <= 0.011), and negatively with the relative abundance of Prevotella genus (all rho <= -0.24, p <= 0.023). In participants with high lipopolysaccharide values, the plasma levels of AEA and related N-acylethanolamines, as well as AA and 2-AG, were negatively correlated with plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (all rho <= -0.24, p <= 0.020).

Conclusion: Plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues are correlated to specific fecal bacterial genera involved in maintaining gut barrier integrity in young adults. This suggests that plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues may play a role in the gut barrier integrity in young adults.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:13