Strong correlation between plasma endocannabinoid levels and high plasma triacylglycerol and low HDL(3)-cholesterol in viscerally obese men
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Upregulation of the endocannabinoid system in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of obese patients may promote ectopic fat accretion and insulin resistance due to the lipogenic effect of CB1 receptor agonism. In a previous study, plasma levels of the endocannabinoid (i.e. endogenous CB1 receptor agonist) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) were shown to be directly correlated with VAT accumulation and metabolic risk factors in a cohort of viscerally obese men. In this context, the changes in endocannabinoid levels were assessed in a subsample of 49 viscerally obese men from the same cohort after a 1-year therapeutic lifestyle modification programme including healthy eating and physical activity. Most risk factors were improved by the intervention leading to a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference, VAT, and plasma 2-AG and anandamide (another endogenous endocannabinoid) levels. The decrease in 2-AG levels, but not that of anandamide, correlated with decremental VAT and triacylglycerol levels, and with the increase in HDL(3)-cholesterol concentrations. Moreover, the decreases in 2-AG and VAT were both independently associated with decreases in triacylglycerol. In viscerally obese men, there appears to be a strong correlation between 2-AG levels and high triacylglycerol and low HDL(3)-cholesterol.
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