Multiple serotonin receptors: opportunities for new treatments for obesity?
Recent progress in the molecular pharmacology of 5-HT receptors and the development of selective ligands for various 5-HT receptor subtypes has advanced our understanding of the role of 5-HT mechanisms in the control of food intake and bodyweight. The most intensively investigated 5-HT receptor subtypes have been the 5-HT1A receptor, the 5-HT1B receptor and the 5-HT2C receptor. The overall pattern of results to date suggests that selective 5-HT2C agonists may be novel anorectic drugs and prove useful in the treatment of obesity. However, a number of issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding potential side-effects, as the 5-HT2C receptor agonist mCPP has been reported to induce anxiety and nausea in humans, actions that would clearly limit its therapeutic utility. In addition, the possible role of recently cloned 5-HT receptor subtypes such as 5-ht5, 5-ht6 and 5-ht7, remains unexplored and the development of selective ligands for these sites has the potential to lead to new treatments for obesity.
Dourish
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Department of Neuropharmacology, Wyeth Research UK Ltd., Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.
D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000139:chemically induced; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D005277:Fenfluramine; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin