n-3 Fatty acid derived endocannabinoids: a new link between fish oil and inflammation

Inflammatory processes are critical components of many illnesses, and dietary n-3 fatty acids have been shown to contribute to a reduction of the inflammatory status, both in in vivo and in vitro studies. The mechanisms underlying the modulation of inflammation are not completely understood, but it is clear that dietary n-3 fatty acids alter the eicosanoid metabolome profile, resulting in increased levels of n-3 fatty acid eicosanoids, whereas eicosanoids from other fatty acids are decreased. Until now, the anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 fatty acids had not been linked to an interaction with endocannabinoids/N-acyl ethanolamides (NAEs) levels before. This thesis describes a series of studies on the link between dietary fatty acids, endocannabinoids/NAEs, and inflammation. Previous research indicated that dietary fatty acids alter the profile of endocannabinoids/NAEs rather than just affecting single compounds such as arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) as suggested before, and therefore a method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify a broad range of endocannabinoids/NAEs was developed. This method was used to demonstrate that n-3 fatty acids are converted to their endocannabinoid derivates by adipocytes in vitro. These n-3 derived NAEs, docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide (DHEA) and eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamide (EPEA), were shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated adipocytes by reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) excretion. Further studies showed that serum free fatty acid levels and plasma NAE levels are correlated under both fasting and post-prandial conditions in women, and demonstrated that plasma AEA and oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) correlated with body mass index (BMI). Considering the complexity of endocannabinoid and eicosanoid metabolism, it is likely that their concentrations are dynamic over time and tissue-specific during inflammation. So far, most studies had focused on limited numbers of endocannabinoids and eicosanoids in restricted numbers of tissues or plasma, and the effect of inflammation on DHEA and EPEA levels had not been studied before. Therefore, an animal study was conducted which investigated in detail the time-dependent effects of i.p. LPS on the levels of lipid derived mediators (endocannabinoids/NAEs and eicosanoids) in plasma, liver, ileum and adipose tissue in mice fed with a diet rich in fish oil. The results demonstrated that both DHEA and EPEA levels were increased after LPS treatment, but also time- and tissue dependent effects were observed. Based on these data, another study was performed which investigated the combined effect of different fish oil diets and inflammation on the profiles of endocannabinoids and eicosanoids using the same multi-compartment targeted lipidomics approach. The data indicated that that dietary n-3 fatty acids and inflammation alter both the endocannabinoid and eicosanoid metabolomes towards higher levels of n-3 derived metabolites at the expense of metabolites derived from other fatty acids. Multivariate data analysis revealed that under normal conditions the diet groups were primarily separated based on decreased levels of other than n-3 derived metabolites. However, during inflammation, the separation was primarily explained by increases in n-3 derived compounds. Finally, additional analyses demonstrated that plasma and erythrocytes contain significant levels of esterified NAEs. The esterified levels were approximately 20-60 fold higher than the free NAE levels, and their profiles resembles the free NAE profiles. In conclusion, (dietary) n-3 fatty acids increased the levels of DHEA and EPEA, and these metabolites displayed anti-inflammatory properties. Although the n-3 fatty acids are likely to be converted to a variety of other metabolites, the work in this thesis suggests that ‘fish oil-derived’ endocannabinoids are a new link between fish oil and its anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is needed to relate nutrition-based modulation of endocannabinoid profiles to more specific effects on health and disease. </p

Plasma anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines are correlated with their corresponding free fatty acid levels under both fasting and non-fasting conditions in women

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), such as anandamide (AEA), are a group of endogenous lipids derived from a fatty acid linked to ethanolamine and have a wide range of biological activities, including regulation of metabolism and food intake. We hypothesized that i) NAE plasma levels are associated with levels of total free fatty acids (FFAs) and their precursor fatty acid in fasting and non-fasting conditions and ii) moderate alcohol consumption alters non-fasting NAE levels. In a fasting and non-fasting study we sampled blood for measurements of specific NAEs and FFAs. In the fasting study blood was drawn after an overnight fast in 22 postmenopausal women. In the non-fasting study blood was sampled before and frequently after a standardized lunch with beer or alcohol-free beer in 19 premenopausal women. Fasting AEA levels correlated with total FFAs (r = 0.84; p <0.001) and arachidonic acid levels (r = 0.42; p <0.05). Similar results were observed for other NAEs with both total FFAs and their corresponding fatty acid precursors. In addition, AEA (r = 0.66; p <0.01) and OEA levels (r = 0.49;

The ethanolamide metabolite of DHA, docosahexaenoylethanolamine, shows immunomodulating effects in mouse peritoneal and RAW264.7 macrophages: evidence for a new link between fish oil and inflammation

Several mechanisms have been proposed for the positive health effects associated with dietary consumption of long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA) including DHA (22 : 6n-3) and EPA (20 : 5n-3). After dietary intake, LC-PUFA are incorporated into membranes and can be converted to their corresponding N-acylethanolamines (NAE). However, little is known on the biological role of these metabolites. In the present study, we tested a series of unsaturated NAE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Among the compounds tested, docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA), the ethanolamide of DHA, was found to be the most potent inhibitor, inducing a dose-dependent inhibition of NO release. Immune-modulating properties of DHEA were further studied in the same cell line, demonstrating that DHEA significantly suppressed the production of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a cytokine playing a pivotal role in chronic inflammation. In LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages, DHEA also reduced MCP-1 and NO production. Furthermore, inhibition was also found to take place at a transcriptional level, as gene expression of MCP-1 and inducible NO synthase was inhibited by DHEA. To summarise, in the present study, we showed that DHEA, a DHA-derived NAE metabolite, modulates inflammation by reducing MCP-1 and NO production and expression. These results provide new leads in molecular mechanisms by which DHA can modulate inflammatory processes

Vitaminebehoefte en –inname

In dit hoofdstuk komen eerst de voedingsnormen voor vitamines, de begrippen aanbevolen dagelijkse hoeveelheid (ADH) en adequate inname (AI), en de wijze waarop deze tot stand komen aan de orde. Wat de inname van afzonderlijke nutriënten vanuit de voeding betreft heeft zich de afgelopen decennia een belangrijke verandering in denken en beleidsontwikkeling voorgedaan, namelijk een verschuiving van richtlijnen, gebaseerd op voedingsstoffen, naar richtlijnen, gebaseerd op voedingsmiddelen en voedingspatronen. Naast vitamines die van nature in voedingsmiddelen voorkomen, kunnen ook voedingssupplementen en producten waaraan vitamines zijn toegevoegd bijdragen aan de behoefte. Er bestaan diverse supplementen die een of meerdere vitamines bevatten. Het is belangrijk om onderscheid te maken tussen voedingskundige en farmacologische toepassing van vitamines. In het laatste deel van dit hoofdstuk wordt ingegaan op een aantal algemene aspecten van het analyseren van vitamines in bloed (of serum, plasma). Daarbij gaat het vooral om het nut van dergelijke bepalingen, hun mogelijkheden en beperkingen

N-acyl amines of docosahexaenoic acid and other n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids – From fishy endocannabinoids to potential leads

N-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFAs), in particular a-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) are receiving much attention because of their presumed beneficial health effects. To explain these, a variety of mechanisms have been proposed, but their interactions with the endocannabinoid system have received relatively little attention so far. However, it has already been shown some time ago that consumption of n-3 LC PUFAs not only affects the synthesis of prototypic endocannabinoids like anandamide, but also stimulates the formation of specific n-3 LC PUFA-derived conjugates with ethanolamine, dopamine, serotonin or other amines. Some of these fatty amides show overlapping biological activities with those of typical endocannabinoids, whereas others possess distinct and sometimes largely unknown receptor affinities and other properties. The ethanolamine and dopamine conjugates of DHA have been the most investigated thus far. These mediators may provide promising new leads to in the field of inflammatory and neurological disorders and for other pharmacological applications, including their use as carrier molecules for neurotransmitters to target the brain. Furthermore, combinations of n-3 LC PUFA-derived fatty acid amides, their precursors and FAAH inhibitors offer possibilities to optimise their effects in health and disease

Development and validation of a quantitative method for the determination of 12 endocannabinoids and related compounds in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of the endocannabinoids and related structures anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, 2-arachidonyl glycerol ether, O-arachidonoyl ethanolamide, dihomo-γ-linolenoyl ethanolamide, docosatetraenoyl ethanolamide, N-arachidonoyl dopamine, N-arachidonyl glycine, N-oleoyl dopamine, oleoyl ethanolamide, palmitoyl ethanolamide, and stearoyl ethanolamide in human plasma was developed and validated. Compounds were extracted using acetonitrile followed by solid-phase extraction. Separation was performed on a Xterra C8 column using gradient elution coupled to a triple-quadrupole MS. LLOQ levels ranged from 0.02 to 1.75 μg/mL, LODs ranged from 0.0002 to 0.1266 ng/mL, and accuracies were >80% (except stearoyl ethanolamide at lowest spike level) at all spike levels. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of free and esterified fatty acid N-acyl ethanolamines in plasma and blood cells

The origin of N-acyl ethanolamides (NAEs) in plasma is not well understood, and it is possible that NAEs are present in plasma in esterified form. To test this hypothesis, a new and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of arachidonoyl ethanolamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide, dihomo-¿-linolenoyl ethanolamide, oleoyl ethanolamide, palmitoyl ethanolamide, and stearoyl ethanolamide in 100 µl of human plasma using a simple acetonitrile extraction step. Using this method, we determined (i) free and esterified NAE levels in human plasma, (ii) free and esterified NAE levels in plasma of mice fed with diets with different amounts of n-3 fatty acids, and (iii) esterified NAE levels in blood cells. Murine and human plasma extracts contained 20- to 60-fold higher levels of esterified NAEs than free NAEs. Moreover, the effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids on murine free plasma NAE profiles was similar for esterified NAEs. Finally, esterified NAEs were also present in murine blood cells, and their pattern followed the same diet effect as observed for free and esterified NAEs in plasma. Together, these data point to the presence of previously ignored pools of esterified NAEs in plasma and blood cells that correlated well with free NAE levels in plasma

Measurement of palmitoylethanolamide and other N-acylethanolamines during physiological and pathological conditions

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) belongs to the N-acyl ethanolamines (NAEs), a group of endogenous compounds involved in a variety of physiological processes, including energy homeostasis and inflammation. This review focuses on the analysis of PEA in plasma and tissues and discusses effects of diet and some pathological processes on PEA levels. Originally isolated from egg yolk, PEA has been detected in a variety of tissues and plasma of different species. The compound is present at relatively high levels compared to other NAEs and now mostly analysed using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. PEA plasma concentrations show marked fluctuations during the day. However, concentrations in tissues are likely to be more relevant than those in plasma. Most studies suggest that compared to other NAEs, tissue PEA tissue levels are not influenced by changes in dietary fatty acid composition. Effects of inflammation and disease on PEA tissue levels show differences between different models and studies. Therefore, more research is needed on the endogenous role and tissue kinetics of PEA during disease. The rediscovery of the therapeutic potential of PEA has fuelled research and the development of new pharmaceutical formulations. With regard to this there is a need for better kinetic data and models, preferably also on its tissue disposition. Moreover, it is important to learn more about effects of exogenous PEA on the kinetics of other NAEs (and endocannabinoids) and effects of inhibiting its breakdown using inhibitors of the degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase or N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase

Glutathione-dependent interaction of heavy metal compounds with multidrug resistance proteins MRP1 and MRP2

The interactions of three heavy metal-containing compounds, cisplatin (CDDP), arsenic trioxide (AS(2)O(3)), and mercury dichloride (HgCl2), with the multidrug resistance transporters MRP1 and MRP2 and the involvement of glutathione (GSH)-related processes herein were investigated. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing MRP1 or MRP2, viability, GSH content, calcein efflux and polarized CSH efflux were measured as a function of exposure to CDDP, As2O3 and HgCl2. In isolated S integral]9-MRP1 and S integral 9-MRP2 membrane vesicles, the interaction with MRP-associated ATPase activity was measured. In the latter model system adduct formation with GSH is not an issue. The data show that (1) CDDP interacts with both MRP1 and MRP2, and GSH appears to play no major role in this process, (2) As2O3 interacts with MRP1 and MRP2 in which process GSH seems to be essential, and (3) HgCl2 interacts with MRP1 and MRP2, either alone and/or as a metal-GSH complex

Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are converted by 3T3-L1 adipocytes to N-acyl ethanolamines with anti-inflammatory properties

n-3 PUFAs have beneficial health effects which are believed to be partly related to their anti-inflammatory properties, however the exact mechanisms behind this are unknown. One possible explanation could be via their conversion to N-acyl ethanolamines (NAEs), which are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Using fatty acid precursors we showed that 3T3-L1 adipocytes are indeed able to convert docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to their NAE derivatives docosahexaenoyl ethanolamine (DHEA) and eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamine (EPEA), respectively. This synthesis took place on top of an apparent background formation of these NAEs in standard culture medium. In addition we were able to demonstrate the presence of DHEA, but not of EPEA, in human plasma. DHEA and EPEA were found to decrease LPS induced adipocyte IL-6 and MCP-1 levels. Results of combined incubations with PPAR-¿ and CB2 antagonists suggest a role of these receptors in mediating the reduction of IL-6 by DHEA. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that in addition to other pathways, formation of N-acyl ethanolamines may contribute to the biological activity of n-3 PUFAs. Different targets, including the endocannabinoid system, may be involved in the immune-modulating activity of these “fish-oil-derived NAEs.