title: The endocannabinoid system as a novel approach for managing obesity.
abstract: The recent discovery of the endocannabinoid system has led to the development of promising treatments for patients with obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk factors. Basic research has demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system plays an integral role in the regulation of food intake, metabolism, and storage. Research with the endocannabinoid receptor antagonist rimonabant has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in body weight, fasting insulin levels, glucose tolerance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, serum triglyceride levels, and waist circumference, compared with placebo. Rimonabant has also produced statistically significant improvements in inflammatory markers. Research with rimonabant has demonstrated sustained efficacy for as long as 2 years when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and moderate physical activity. Rimonabant is the first cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist to be marketed in Europe and the first to file an New Drug Application in the United States. It may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, USA. jlillo3@cox.net
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lillo
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077285:Rimonabant; D012307:Risk Factors