Endocannabinoids measurement in human saliva as potential biomarker of obesity.
PLoS ONE. 2012-07-31; 7(7): e42399
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042399
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1. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e42399. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042399. Epub 2012 Jul 31.
Endocannabinoids measurement in human saliva as potential biomarker of obesity.
Matias I(1), Gatta-Cherifi B, Tabarin A, Clark S, Leste-Lasserre T, Marsicano G,
Piazza PV, Cota D.
Author information:
(1)Group Endocannabinoids and Neuroadaptation, Institut National de la Santé et
de la Recherche Médicale, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiophatologie de la Plasticité
Neuronale, Bordeaux, France.
BACKGROUND: The discovery of the endocannabinoid system and of its role in the
regulation of energy balance has significantly advanced our understanding of the
physiopathological mechanisms leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes. New
knowledge on the role of this system in humans has been acquired by measuring
blood endocannabinoids. Here we explored endocannabinoids and related
N-acylethanolamines in saliva and verified their changes in relation to body
weight status and in response to a meal or to body weight loss.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Fasting plasma and salivary endocannabinoids and
N-acylethanolamines were measured through liquid mass spectrometry in 12 normal
weight and 12 obese, insulin-resistant subjects. Salivary endocannabinoids and
N-acylethanolamines were evaluated in the same cohort before and after the
consumption of a meal. Changes in salivary endocannabinoids and
N-acylethanolamines after body weight loss were investigated in a second group of
12 obese subjects following a 12-weeks lifestyle intervention program. The levels
of mRNAs coding for enzymes regulating the metabolism of endocannabinoids,
N-acylethanolamines and of cannabinoid type 1 (CB(1)) receptor, alongside
endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines content, were assessed in human salivary
glands. The endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG),
N-arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA), and the N-acylethanolamines
(oleoylethanolamide, OEA and palmitoylethanolamide, PEA) were quantifiable in
saliva and their levels were significantly higher in obese than in normal weight
subjects. Fasting salivary AEA and OEA directly correlated with BMI, waist
circumference and fasting insulin. Salivary endocannabinoids and
N-acylethanolamines did not change in response to a meal. CB(1) receptors,
ligands and enzymes were expressed in the salivary glands. Finally, a body weight
loss of 5.3% obtained after a 12-weeks lifestyle program significantly decreased
salivary AEA levels.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines are
quantifiable in saliva and their levels correlate with obesity but not with
feeding status. Body weight loss significantly decreases salivary AEA, which
might represent a useful biomarker in obesity.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042399
PMCID: PMC3409167
PMID: 22860123 [Indexed for MEDLINE]