Document Detail


Endocannabinoid receptor antagonists: potential for obesity treatment.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15511129     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Obesity has been described as a global epidemic. Its increasing prevalence is matched by growing costs, not only to the health of the individual, but also to the medical services required to treat a range of obesity-related diseases. In most instances, obesity is a product of progressively less energetic lifestyles and the over-consumption of readily available, palatable, and highly caloric foods. Past decades have seen massive investment in the search for effective anti-obesity therapies, so far with limited success. An important part of the process of developing new pharmacologic treatments for obesity lies in improving our understanding of the psychologic and physiologic processes that govern appetite and bodyweight regulation. Recent discoveries concerning the endogenous cannabinoids are beginning to give greater insight into these processes. Current research indicates that endocannabinoids may be key to the appetitive and consummatory aspects of eating motivation, possibly mediating the craving for and enjoyment of the most desired, most fattening foods. Additionally, endocannabinoids appear to modulate central and peripheral processes associated with fat and glucose metabolism. Selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists have been shown to suppress the motivation to eat, and preferentially reduce the consumption of palatable, energy-dense foods. Additionally, these agents act to reduce adiposity through metabolic mechanisms that are independent of changes in food intake. Given the current state of evidence, we conclude that the endocannabinoids represent an exciting target for new anti-obesity therapies.
Authors:
Tim C Kirkham; Claire M Williams
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Treatments in endocrinology     Volume:  3     ISSN:  1175-6349     ISO Abbreviation:  Treat Endocrinol     Publication Date:  2004  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-10-29     Completed Date:  2005-02-08     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101132977     Medline TA:  Treat Endocrinol     Country:  New Zealand    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  345-60     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK. t.c.kirkham@liv.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
Humans
Obesity / drug therapy*
Receptors, Cannabinoid / antagonists & inhibitors*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Endocannabinoids; 0/Receptors, Cannabinoid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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