Endocannabinoid system and its role in energy regulation

1. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jul;1(4):557-569. doi:
10.1586/17446651.1.4.557.

Endocannabinoid system and its role in energy regulation.

Matias I(1), Di Marzo V(2).

Author information:
(1)a Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry,
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli
(Napoli), Italy. .
(2)b Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry,
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli
(Napoli), Italy. .

Endocannabinoids are endogenous agonists for the two types of cannabinoid
receptors identified to date, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors and
tissue concentrations of endocannabinoids sufficient to activate them are
present in the brain structures controlling energy intake (i.e., the
hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens and nodose ganglion), as well as in all
peripheral organs mostly involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis (i.e.,
the duodenum, small and large intestine, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle,
pancreas and liver). Several peripheral neuropeptides and hormones involved in
energy balance, and type of diet, regulate endocannabinoid levels, whereas
endocannabinoids, in turn, regulate the expression and release of hypothalamic
mediators involved in nutrient intake. Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid
system might contribute to the development of eating disorders and explain why
CB1 receptor blockers are efficacious at reducing not only food intake but also
the metabolic consequences of visceral adiposity and obesity.

DOI: 10.1586/17446651.1.4.557
PMID: 30290459

Know more about