Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jan;29(1):268-276.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-018-3517-0.

Circulating Endocannabinoids Are Reduced Following Bariatric Surgery and Associated with Improved Metabolic Homeostasis in Humans

Shahar Azar  1 , Shiri Sherf-Dagan  2   3   4 , Alina Nemirovski  1 , Muriel Webb  2 , Asnat Raziel  5 , Andrei Keidar  6 , David Goitein  4   5   7 , Nasser Sakran  5   8   9 , Oren Shibolet  2   4 , Joseph Tam  10 , Shira Zelber-Sagi  11   12
Affiliations

Circulating Endocannabinoids Are Reduced Following Bariatric Surgery and Associated with Improved Metabolic Homeostasis in Humans

Shahar Azar et al. Obes Surg. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Background: The endocannabinoid (eCB) system plays a key role in the development of obesity and its comorbidities. Limited information exists on the changes in circulating eCBs following bariatric surgery.

Objectives: This study aims to (i) assess the circulating levels of eCBs and related molecules and (ii) examine the association between their levels and numerous clinical/metabolic features pre- and post-operatively.

Methods: Sixty-five morbidly obese patients (age 42.78 ± 9.27 years; BMI 42.00 ± 5.01 kg/m2) underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) surgery, and were followed up for 12 months. Data collected included anthropometrics and metabolic parameters. The serum levels of the eCBs, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA); and their related molecules, arachidonic acid (AA) and oleoylethanolamine (OEA) were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: Levels of 2-AG, AEA, and AA were reduced post operatively with no differences in serum OEA levels. The delta changes in eCB levels between pre- and post-operation were correlated with the delta of different metabolic parameters. Positive correlations were found between delta AA and waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.28, P < 0.05), free fat mass (r = 0.26, P < 0.05), SteatoTest score (r = 0.45, P < 0.05), and ALT (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). Delta AEA levels positively correlated with WC (r = 0.30, P < 0.05). Delta 2-AG levels positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.27, P < 0.05), triglycerides (r = 0.55, P < 0.05), and SteatoTest score (r = 0.27, P < 0.05). Delta OEA levels negatively correlated with fasting glucose levels (r = - 0.27, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence that LSG surgery induces reductions in the circulating 2-AG, AEA, and AA levels, and that these changes are associated with clinical benefits related to the surgery including reduced fat mass, hepatic steatosis, glucose, and improved lipid profile.

Keywords: Endocannabinoids; Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; Metabolic parameters; Obesity.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:680867 - PubMed
    1. Gastroenterology. 2010 Dec;139(6):1961-1971.e1 - PubMed
    1. Cell Metab. 2010 Apr 7;11(4):273-85 - PubMed
    1. J Clin Invest. 2008 Sep;118(9):3160-9 - PubMed
    1. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e42399 - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources