title: Taranabant cuts the fat: new hope for cannabinoid-based obesity therapies?
abstract: Endocannabinoid/cannabinoid receptor signaling acts centrally and peripherally to govern appetite and energy balance. While system stimulation promotes eating and energy storage, receptor blockade can reduce food intake and facilitate weight loss. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Addy et al. (2008) test the therapeutic antiobesity potential of taranabant, a cannabinoid 1 receptor inverse agonist.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK. t.c.kirkham@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tim C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kirkham
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D002186:Cannabinoids; D011725:Pyridines; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; C521311:N-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-cyanophenyl)-1-methylpropyl)-2-methyl-2-((5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)propanamide