Mediterranean diet consumption affects the endocannabinoid system in overweight and obese subjects: possible links with gut microbiome, insulin resistance and inflammation.
Study Goal
The researchers investigated whether a Mediterranean diet (MD) increased fecal Akkermansia muciniphila abundance and its relationship with metabolic health markers.
Results Summary
The MD intervention increased fecal Akkermansia muciniphila abundance independently of body weight changes. Higher baseline endocannabinoid tone and microbiome functionality influenced individualized improvements in insulin sensitivity and inflammation.
Population
Overweight and obese subjects (mean age 43 ± 1.4 years, BMI 31.1 ± 0.5 kg/m²) with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | plasma arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) | overweight and obese subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases | p = 0.02 | lowered | #1 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | increase | plasma oleoylethanolamide/palmitoylethanolamide (OEA/PEA) | overweight and obese subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases | p = 0.009 | increased | #2 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | increase | plasma OEA/AEA | overweight and obese subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases | p = 0.006 | increased | #3 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | increase | faecal Akkermansia muciniphila | overweight and obese subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases | p = 0.026 | increased | #4 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index | individuals with low-plasma OEA/PEA at baseline | p = 0.01 | decreased | #5 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein | individuals with high-plasma OEA/PEA at baseline | p = 0.02 | decreased | #6 |
PURPOSE: To investigate whether a Mediterranean diet (MD) affected the plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids (ECs), N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and their specific ratios in subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases. To identify the relationship between circulating levels of these compounds and gut microbiome, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. METHODS: A parallel 8-week randomised controlled trial was performed involving 82 overweight and obese subjects aged (mean ± SEM) 43 ± 1.4 years with a BMI of 31.1 ± 0.5 kg/m RESULTS: The MD intervention lowered plasma arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA, p = 0.02), increased plasma oleoylethanolamide/palmitoylethanolamide (OEA/PEA, p = 0.009) and OEA/AEA (p = 0.006) and increased faecal Akkermansia muciniphila (p = 0.026) independent of body weight changes. OEA/PEA positively correlated with abundance of key microbial players in diet-gut-health interplay and MD adherence. Following an MD, individuals with low-plasma OEA/PEA at baseline decreased homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (p = 0.01), while individuals with high-plasma OEA/PEA decreased serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a switch from a CT to an isocaloric MD affects the endocannabinoid system and increases A. muciniphila abundance in the gut independently of body weight changes. Endocannabinoid tone and microbiome functionality at baseline drives an individualised response to an MD in ameliorating insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Clinical Trial Registry number and website NCT03071718; www.clinicaltrials.gov.