Abstract
The adequate quantification of endocannabinoids can be complex due to their low endogenous levels and structural diversity. Therefore, advanced analytical approaches, such as LC-MS, are used to measure endocannabinoids in plasma, tissues, and other matrices. Recent work has shown that endocannabinoids that are synthesized from n-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoylethanolamide (DHEA) and eicosapentaenoylethanolamide (EPEA), have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic properties and stimulate synapse formation in neurites. Here, an LC-MS based method for the quantification of n-3 endocannabinoids DHEA and EPEA which is also suited to measure a wider spectrum of endocannabinoids is described. The chapter contains a step-by-step protocol for the analysis of n-3 endocannabinoids in plasma, including sample collection and solid phase extraction, LC-MS analysis, and data processing. Modifications to the protocol that allow quantifying n-3 endocannabinoids in tissues and cell culture media will also be discussed. Finally, conditions that alter endocannabinoid concentrations are briefly discussed.
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Witkamp, R.F., Balvers, M.G.J. (2016). Analysis of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Derived N-Acylethanolamines in Biological Matrices. In: Maccarrone, M. (eds) Endocannabinoid Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1412. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_4
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