Quantitative profiling of endocannabinoids in lipoproteins by LC-MS/MS

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2015 Jul;407(17):5125-31. doi: 10.1007/s00216-015-8559-8. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Abstract

Endocannabinoids belong to a diverse family of endogenous lipid bioregulators acting as physiological ligands of cannabinoid receptor type 1 and cannabinoid receptor type 2 in the central and peripheral nervous system. They are also present in nmol L(-1) concentrations in human blood plasma; however, their association with possible molecular carriers remains poorly characterized. Here we report on the quantification of 46 endogenous molecular species from five major classes of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related compounds in three lipoprotein fractions of human blood plasma: VLDL, LDL, HDL, and in the plasma lipoprotein-free fraction. Although sizable quantities of endocannabinoid-related molecules are associated with lipoproteins, we identified the lipoprotein-free fraction as a major carrier of endocannabinoids in blood circulation with the exception of 2-acylglycerols, which are markedly abundant in VLDL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Endocannabinoids / analysis*
  • Endocannabinoids / blood*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / chemistry*
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / chemistry*
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / chemistry*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*

Substances

  • Endocannabinoids
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL