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Cannabinoids in Eating Disorders and Obesity

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Abstract

Cannabinoid system is a crucial mechanism in regulating food intake and energy metabolism. It is involved in central and peripheral mechanisms regulating such behavior, interacting with many other signaling systems with a role in metabolic regulation. Cannabinoid agonists promote food intake, and soon a cannabinoid antagonist, rimonabant, will be marketed for the treatment of obesity. It not only causes weight loss, but also alleviates metabolic syndrome. We present a review of current knowledge on this subject, along with data from our own research: genetic studies on this system in eating disorders and obesity and studies locating cannabinoid receptors in areas related to food intake. Such studies suggest cannabinoid hyperactivity in obesity, and this excessive activity may have prognostic implications.

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Abbreviations

AgRP:

agouti-related protein

AEA:

anandamide

2-AG:

2-arachidonoyl-glycerol

ARC:

arcuate hypothalamic nucleus

BBB:

blood–brain barrier

BMI:

body mass index

BDNF:

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CB1:

cannabinoid receptor type 1

CCK:

cholecystokinin

CART:

cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript

CRH:

corticotropin-releasing hormone

DIO:

diet-induced obesity

DMH:

dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus

ED:

eating disorders

ECS:

endocannabinoid system

FAAH:

fatty-acid amide hydrolase

FAS:

fatty-acid synthase

GHS-R:

ghrelin receptor

GAPDH:

glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

HDL:

high-density lipoprotein

HPA:

hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis

KO:

knockout

LHN:

lateral hypothalamic nucleus

MAP-kinase:

mitogen-activated protein kinase

MCH:

melanine concentrating hormone

α-MSH:

melanocyte stimulating hormone

NPY:

neuropeptide Y

Nac:

nucleus accumbens

NTS:

nucleus of the tractus solitarius

OEA:

oleoyl-ethanolamide

PVN:

paraventricular nucleus

PYY:

peptide YY

POMC:

pro-opiomelanocortin

RIO:

Rimonabant in Obesity clinical trials

SREBP-1c:

sterol response element-binding protein 1c

STRATUS:

Studies with Rimonabant and Tobacco Use

THC:

tetrahydrocannabinol

TRH:

thyrotropin-releasing hormone

VTA:

ventral tegmental area

VMH:

ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus

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    Francisco Arias Horcajadas

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Arias Horcajadas, F. Cannabinoids in Eating Disorders and Obesity. Mol Neurobiol 36, 113–128 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-007-0018-x

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