Plasma 2-arachidonoylglycerol is a biomarker of age and menopause related insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in lean but not in obese men and women

• Published in: Molecular metabolism (Germany) 2017-05, Vol.6 (5), p.406-415
• Main Authors: Fanelli, Flaminia, Mezzullo, Marco, Belluomo, Ilaria, Di Lallo, Valentina Diana, Baccini, Margherita, Ibarra Gasparini, Daniela, Casadio, Elena, Mastroroberto, Marianna, Vicennati, Valentina, Gambineri, Alessandra, Morselli-Labate, Antonio Maria, Pasquali, Renato, Pagotto, Uberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Endocrinology & Metabolism; Original
• ISSN: 2212-8778; 2212-8778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.03.005

Abstract Objective The endocannabinoid system hypertonicity features obesity. Excess circulating 2-arachidonoylglycerol was variously associated with obesity-related metabolic impairment; however, unstandardized experimental and analytical settings have clouded its usefulness as a dysmetabolism biomarker. We aimed at assessing the influence of body mass index (BMI), menopause in women, and aging in men on 2-arachidonoylglycerol relationship with metabolic parameters. Methods Adult, unmedicated women (premenopausal (preMW): n = 103; menopausal (MW): n = 81) and men (n = 144) were stratified in normal weight (NW; BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (OW; BMI: 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 ), and obese (OB; BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 ) classes. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were determined. Plasma 2-arachidonoylglycerol was measured by a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. Results 2-arachidonoylglycerol level was raised by menopause (P