Dolphin Study Identifies Previously Unknown Endocannabinoid

The best-known endocannabinoid is either anandamide or 2-AG, which were discovered in the early 1990s. The body synthesizes them from arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid of the omega-6 family found in meat, eggs, milk, and fish, or processed from another omega-6 called linoleic acid, found in nuts, seeds, and some refined vegetable oils.

For more of the latest scientific discoveries and other cannabis-related updates, download our free cannabis news app.

Endocannabinoid Background

While anandamide and 2-AG get attention, they are not the only ones interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors. In a 2019 paper, researchers at the University of Illinois reported the recent discovery of four other endocannabinoids and their derivatives, all of which the body synthesizes from two essential fatty acids in the omega-3 family found primarily in fish and supplements.

The Latest Endocannabinoid Discovery – Pentadecanoylcarnitine

With this background, we come to a recent discovery, a molecule called Pentadecanoylcarnitine (PDC). According to the article in Scientific Reports, PDC is synthesized in the body from another dietary fatty acid known as pentadecanoic acid or C15:0 – found primarily in full-fat dairy products but also in some fish, plants, and other foods. It binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, among others, and may play a role in various physiological processes related to regulating inflammation, pain, mood, and sleep.

The study summarizes its work, “Like humans, bottlenose dolphins are long-lived, large-brained mammals. Associations have been shown between higher circulating concentrations of C15:0 and C17:0 and lower risks of chronic metabolic conditions. When dolphins were fed a modified diet of C15:0-rich fish, their serum metabolome changed, resulting in lower insulin and cholesterol and attenuated anemia.”

Understanding Pentadecanoylcarnitine

To better understand these changes, the team, this time, sought to study the biological activities of key C15:0 metabolites. They first analyzed blood tests previously collected from the dolphins on the modified diet to identify compounds whose levels increased with fatty acid consumption. After six months of feeding, Pentadecanoylcarnitine emerged as the number one metabolite most associated with or predictive of high C15:0 consumption.

PDC was then tested on a dozen human cell systems modeling various disease states to elucidate its direct effects. It was found to have dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activities in five of these systems considered clinically relevant for treating cardiovascular, immune, neoplastic (tumor-related), pulmonary, and skin diseases.

Finally, to evaluate its molecular mechanisms of action, the researchers tested PDC’s activity on various targets, including receptors, transporters, ion channels, and enzymes. It was found to be a full agonist at both CB1 and CB2 receptors, a characteristic it shares with only one other known endocannabinoid, 2-AG.

What’s Next for This New Cannabinoid?

The article concludes, “Due to the decline in whole milk consumption in the general population…further studies are needed to assess possible links between the global increase in allergies, mental disorders, and sleep disorders and C15:0 nutritional deficiencies.”

Additional research on Pentadecanoylcarnitine and its role as an endocannabinoid would also be welcome. While it appears to be one of at least seven endocannabinoids identified as signaling agents within the endocannabinoid system, the body’s primary regulatory system, it has so far received very little attention in scientific literature.

—

(Featured image by Hamid Elbaz via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published by Newsweed, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.