Endocannabinoids mass spectrometry

Kingsley PJ, Marnett LJ. 2003. Analysis of endocannabinoids by Ag" coordination tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem 314 8. 

Richardson, D, Ortori CA, Chapman V, Kendall DA, Barrett DA, Quantitative profiling of endocannabinoids and related compounds in rat brain using liquid chromatography-tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, Anal Biochem 360 216-226, 2007. 

In recent years the rapid development of high-sensitivity analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography (LC) supported the investigation of the endocannabinoids as part of a complex lipid network. The identification of lipid components of the endocannabinoid system can be achieved in a single analytical step by state-of-the-art platforms such as tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which provides the detailed structural information necessary for characterization of lipids and increases specificity in complex biological matrices. Furthermore, the implementation of ionization techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) allow the coupling of LC to MS, and permits the separation and analysis of endocannabinoids with greater speed and accuracy. 

The novel endocannabinoid noladin ether was recently identified by Hanus et al. (2001). Subsequently, its existence in brain was reported by Fezza et al. (2002), but Oka et al. (2003) were unable to detect the compound in the brains of any of several mammalian species by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Noladin ether was reported to occur in relatively high amounts in dissected thalamus, but its localization to somatosensory areas of thalamus has not been established. It was reported to occur in much lower amounts in spinal cord (Fezza et al. 2002). Hanus et al. (2001) showed that the compound produces analgesic effects in the hot plate test following systemic administration in mice (20 mg/kg, i.p.). However, as with 2-AG, experiments have not been carried out to determine whether its effects were due to an action at CBRs. More work is needed to verify the formation of this compound in vivo and its potential role in pain modulation. 

Zoerner, A.A., Gutzki, F.M., Batkai, S., May, M., Rakers, C., Engeh, S., Jordan, J. and Tsikas, D. (2011) Quantification of endocannabinoids in biological systems by chromatography and mass spectrometry A comprehensive review from an analytical and biological perspective. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1811, 706-723. 

Lehtonen M, Storvik M, Malinen H, Hyytia P, Lakso M, Auriola S, et aL Determination of endocannabinoids in nematodes and human brain tissue by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Anal Tech Biomed Life Sci 2011 879 677-94. 

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