Quantification of Anandamide and 2-Arachidonylglycerol in Plasma Samples: A Short, Non-toxic HPLC Method and Sample Storage

Objective: The endocannabinoid system plays an important modulatory role in brain physiology, pain sensation, appetite regulation, cardiovascular system, female reproductive system and the immune system. The endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors, anandamide (ANA) and 2-Arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) have been identified in various mammalian tissues. However, it difficult to quantify them accurately in blood and in tissues since these endogenous cannabinoids are found in small amount and they are metabolized very quickly. In order to quantify ANA and 2-AG from blood accurately, it was aimed (a) to determine pre-analytical conditions in blood sampling procedure, (b) to improve extraction process and quantification of ANA and 2-AG in plasma samples by HPLC, and (c) to determine storage conditions and period of these metabolites.