2-Arachidonoyl glycerol-d8 (2-AG-d8) is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of 2-AG by GC- or LC-MS. 2-AG is an endogenous agonist of the CB1 receptor. Unlike anandamide, 2-AG is present at relatively high levels in the central nervous system; it is the most abundant molecular species of monoacylglycerol found in rat brain. Formation of 2-AG is calcium-dependent and is mediated by the activities of phospholipase C and diacylglycerol lipase. 2-AG acts as a full agonist at the CB1 receptor. At a concentration of 0.3 nM, 2-AG induces a rapid, transient increase in intracellular free calcium in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells through a receptor-dependent mechanism.
