anandamide and Kidney-Neoplasms

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are involved in various physiological functions such as appetite, metabolism, and inflammation. Although deterioration of these functions is often observed in patients with refractory cancer cachexia (RCC), the relationship between circulating eCBs and cancer cachexia remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between circulating levels of eCBs and clinical findings in patients with RCC.. Circulating N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels were measured in 39 patients with RCC (36% females, median age and IQR: 79 and 69-85), and 18 age- and sex-matched controls who received medical therapy for non-communicable diseases, using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In the RCC group, relationships between eCB levels and clinical findings-such as anorexia, awareness of pain, performance status, and survival period-were also examined. As anti-inflammatory drugs can influence the action and metabolism of eCBs, the following two analyses were conducted. In analysis 1, all participants were included, and in analysis 2, participants receiving any anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded.. Circulating eCB levels were significantly higher in patients with RCC than those in controls. In patients with RCC, circulating AEA may play a role in anorexia, whereas 2-AG may play a role in serum triglyceride levels.

Topics: Anorexia; Cachexia; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endocannabinoids; Female; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Triglycerides