Changes in plasma endocannabinoids concentrations correlate with 18F-FDG PET/MR uptake in brown adipocytes in humans

Katarzyna Maliszewska; Katarzyna Miniewska; Adrian Godlewski; Wioleta Gosk; Malgorzata Mojsak; Adam Kretowski; Michal Ciborowski

doi:10.3389/fmolb.2023.1073683

Changes in plasma endocannabinoids concentrations correlate with 18F-FDG PET/MR uptake in brown adipocytes in humans

Front Mol Biosci. 2023 Jul 26:10:1073683. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1073683. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Katarzyna Maliszewska¹, Katarzyna Miniewska², Adrian Godlewski², Wioleta Gosk², Malgorzata Mojsak³, Adam Kretowski¹, Michal Ciborowski²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
² Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
³ Independent Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.

Abstract

Introduction: Recent data suggest a possible role of endocannabinoids in the regulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity. Those findings indicate potential treatment options for obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma endocannabinoids concentrations and the presence of BAT in humans. Methods: The study group consisted of 25 subjects divided into two groups: BAT positive BAT(+), (n = 17, median age = 25 years) and BAT negative BAT(-), (n = 8, median age = 28 years). BAT was estimated using 18F-FDG PET/MR after 2 h of cold exposure. The level of plasma endocannabinoids was assessed at baseline, 60 min and 120 min of cold exposure. Results: In both groups, BAT(+) and BAT(-), during the cooling, we observed a decrease of the same endocannabinoids: arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamide (EPEA) and oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) with a much more profound decline in BAT(+) subjects. Statistically significant fall of PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) and SEA (stearoylethanolamide) concentrations after 60 min (FC = 0.7, p = 0.007 and FC = 0.8, p = 0.03, respectively) and 120 min (FC = 0.81, p = 0.004, and FC = 0.9, p = 0.01, respectively) of cooling was observed only in individuals with BAT. Conclusion: We noticed the profound decline of endocannabinoids concentrations in subjects with increased 18F-FDG PET/MR uptake in BAT. Identification of a new molecules related to BAT activity may create a new target for obesity treatment.

Keywords: LC-QQQ-MS; PET/MR; brown adipose tissue; endocannabinoids; humans.

Grants and funding

The study was funded by a Research Grant from The Polish Diabetes Association (2017), as well as the Medical University of Bialystok (SUB/1/DN/21/004/4406), both awarded to MC.