Endocannabinoids and the control of energy balance

1. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jan-Feb;18(1):27-37. doi:
10.1016/j.tem.2006.11.006. Epub 2006 Dec 1.

Endocannabinoids and the control of energy balance.

Matias I(1), Di Marzo V.

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

Two receptors have been cloned to date for the psychotropic compound
Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, and termed cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors.
Their endogenous ligands, the endocannabinoids, have also been identified. CB(1)
receptors and endocannabinoids are present in brain structures controlling
energy intake and in peripheral cells (hepatocytes, adipocytes, pancreatic islet
cells) regulating energy homeostasis. CB(2) receptors are more abundant in
lymphocytes and macrophages, and participate in immune and inflammatory
reactions. Metabolic hormones and peptides regulate the levels of the
endocannabinoids and, hence, the activity of cannabinoid receptors in several
tissues in a seemingly coordinated way. The endocannabinoids, particularly after
stress and brief food deprivation, act in turn as local modulators of the
expression and action of neurotransmitters, hormones and adipokines involved in
metabolic control. Endocannabinoid overactivity seems to accompany metabolic and
eating disorders and to contribute to the development of abdominal obesity,
dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Accordingly, clinical trials have shown that
CB(1) receptor antagonists are efficacious at reducing not only food intake, but
also abdominal adiposity and its metabolic sequelae.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2006.11.006
PMID: 17141520 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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