Increase in the circulating endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol is associated with gabapentin use in septic ICU patients

Excerpt

The endocannabinoid signaling system consists of two G-protein-coupled receptors (CBRs), named CB1 and CB2, and two well-characterized ligands, the endocannabinoids (eCBs) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) [1]. Although the roles of these molecules in the circulation are not well understood, their concentrations change under the conditions of physiological and psychological stress [1]. In particular, 2-AG and AEA concentrations have been reported to be increased in patients with endotoxic shock, infection, and following cardiac surgery [1]. To further our understanding of the roles of endocannabinoids in human disease states associated with severe physiological stress, we compared circulating concentrations of 2-AG and AEA in blood obtained from septic patients within 24 h of admission to the ICU to the same measures in healthy controls. …