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Mattelaer N, Van der Schueren B, Van Oudenhove L, Weltens N, Vangoitsenhoven R. The circulating and central endocannabinoid system in obesity and weight loss. Int J Obes (Lond) 2024:10.1038/s41366-024-01553-z. [PMID: 38834796 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Major advances have been made in obesity treatment, focusing on restoring disturbances along the gut-brain axis. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neuromodulatory signaling system, present along the entire gut-brain axis, that plays a critical role in central and peripheral regulation of food intake and body weight. Evidence on the impact of weight loss on the ECS is, however, more limited. Therefore, we set out to review the existing literature for changes in central and circulating endocannabinoid levels after bariatric surgery and other weight loss strategies in humans. The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant articles. Fifty-six human studies were identified. Most studies measuring circulating 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) found no difference between normal weight and obesity, or no correlation with BMI. In contrast, studies measuring circulating arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) found an increase or positive correlation with BMI. Two studies found a negative correlation between BMI and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor availability in the brain. Only one study investigated the effect of pharmacological weight management on circulating endocannabinoid concentrations and found no effect on AEA concentrations. So far, six studies investigated potential changes in circulating endocannabinoids after bariatric surgery and reported conflicting results. Available evidence does not univocally support that circulating endocannabinoids are upregulated in individuals with obesity, which may be explained by variability across studies in several potential confounding factors (e.g. age and sex) as well as heterogeneity within the obesity population (e.g. BMI only vs. intra-abdominal adiposity). While several studies investigated the effect of lifestyle interventions on the circulating ECS, more studies are warranted that focus on pharmacologically and surgically induced weight loss. In addition, we identified several research needs which should be fulfilled to better understand the role of the ECS in obesity and its treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Mattelaer
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Van der Schueren
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Weltens
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roman Vangoitsenhoven
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Correia LC, Ferreira JV, de Lima HB, Silva GM, da Silva CHTP, de Molfetta FA, Hage-Melim LIS. Pharmacophore-based virtual screening from phytocannabinoids as antagonist r-CB1. J Mol Model 2022; 28:258. [PMID: 35978141 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Search for new pharmacological alternatives for obesity is based on the design and development of compounds that can aid in weight loss so that they can be used safely and effectively over a long period while maintaining their function. The endocannabinoid system is related to obesity by increasing orexigenic signals and reducing satiety signals. Cannabis sativa is a medicinal plant of polypharmaceutical potential that has been widely studied for various medicinal purposes. The in silico evaluation of their natural cannabinoids (also called phytocannabinoids) for anti-obesity purpose stems from the existence of synthetic cannabinoid compounds that have already presented this result, but which did not guarantee patient safety. In order to find new molecules from C. sativa phytocannabinoids, with the potential to interact peripherally with the pharmacological target cannabinoid receptor 1, a pharmacophore-based virtual screening was performed, including the evaluation of physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, toxicological predictions and molecular docking. The results obtained from the ZINC12 database pointed to Zinc 69 (ZINC33053402) and Zinc 70 (ZINC19084698) molecules as promising anti-obesity agents. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies disclose that both complexes were stable by analyzing the RMSD (root mean square deviation) values, and the binding free energy values demonstrate that the selected structures can interact and inhibit their catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenir C Correia
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (PharMedChem), Federal University of Amapá, Rod. JK, Km 02, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Jaderson V Ferreira
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (PharMedChem), Federal University of Amapá, Rod. JK, Km 02, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Henrique B de Lima
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (PharMedChem), Federal University of Amapá, Rod. JK, Km 02, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Silva
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Chemistry. School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carlos H T P da Silva
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Chemistry. School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fábio A de Molfetta
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA, Brazil
| | - Lorane I S Hage-Melim
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (PharMedChem), Federal University of Amapá, Rod. JK, Km 02, Macapá, Brazil.
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Changes in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Cholesterol Concentration in Heavy Cannabis Users: A Single-Centre Study in Cusco, Peru. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10081597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The effect of cannabis on cholesterol and lipid balance has been reported for decades. However, there are conflicting reports on the reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and total cholesterol. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate changes of Cannabis spp. consumption by pyrolytic route in heavy users. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 20 Peruvian heavy cannabis users (mean age: 31 ± 9.5 years). The inclusion criteria were males with an average weight of 50–70 kg, normal BMI, and having used cannabis, without association with other drugs, for at least one year with a high frequency per week (use: 4–7 days/week). High-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), LDL-C, and total cholesterol were evaluated 30 and 120 min after the administration of Cannabis spp. (~0.2 g by inhalation). Results: Of the total 12 (60%), 10 (50%), and 11 (55%) had desirable total cholesterol, fairly good HDL-C (40–60 mg/dL) and fairly good LDL-C (100–129 mg/dL) values, respectively. The mean basal concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol was 193.37 ± 20.18 mg/dL, 60.05 ± 6.36 mg/dL, and 129.65 ± 14.50 mg/dL, respectively. HDL-cholesterol showed progressive increases in participants with desirable HDL-C > 60 mg/dL at 30 min (10 vs. 14 participants, p < 0.001) and at 120 min (10 vs. 16 participants, p < 0.001), while LDL-C peaked in participants with concentrations < 100 mg/dL at 30 min (desirable cholesterol: 0 vs. 2, p = 0.001). HDL-C concentration showed differences after cannabis consumption, showing increases at 30 (63.25 ± 7.68 mg/dL) and 120 min (69.15 ± 18.67 mg/dL) and total cholesterol concentration changed to 180.95 ± 19.3 mg/dL (95%CI 172.5 to 189.4) at 120 min (p = 0.007). Conclusions: HDL-C cholesterol increased 30 and 120 min after Cannabis spp. ingestion, while LDL-C and total cholesterol showed partial reductions in heavy-users from Cusco, Peru.
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Ferrulli A, Terruzzi I, Senesi P, Succi M, Cannavaro D, Luzi L. Turning the clock forward: New pharmacological and non pharmacological targets for the treatment of obesity. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2022; 32:1320-1334. [PMID: 35354547 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Obesity and its main metabolic complication, type 2 diabetes, have attained the status of a global pandemic; there is need for novel strategies aimed at treating obesity and preventing the development of diabetes. A healthy diet and exercise are basic for treatment of obesity but often not enough. Pharmacotherapy can be helpful in maintaining compliance, ameliorating obesity-related health risks, and improving quality of life. In the last two decades, the knowledge of central and peripheral mechanisms underlying homeostatic and hedonic aspects of food intake has significantly increased. Dysregulation of one or more of these components could lead to obesity. DATA SYNTHESIS In order to better understand how potential innovative treatment options can affect obesity, homeostatic and reward mechanisms that regulate energy balance has been firstly illustrated. Then, an overview of potential therapeutic targets for obesity, distinguished according to the level of regulation of feeding behavior, has been provided. Moreover, several non-drug therapies have been recently tested in obesity, such as non-invasive neurostimulation: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. All of them are promising for obesity treatment and are almost devoid of side effects, constituting a potential resource for the prevention of metabolic diseases. CONCLUSIONS The plethora of current anti-obesity therapies creates the unique challenge for physicians to customize the intervention, according to the specific obesity characteristics and the intervention side effect profiles; moreover, it allows multimodal approaches addressed to treat obesity and metabolic adaptation with complementary mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ferrulli
- Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ileana Terruzzi
- Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pamela Senesi
- Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Succi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cannavaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Livio Luzi
- Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Behl T, Chadha S, Sachdeva M, Sehgal A, Kumar A, Dhruv, Venkatachalam T, Hafeez A, Aleya L, Arora S, Batiha GES, Nijhawan P, Bungau S. Understanding the possible role of endocannabinoid system in obesity. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2021; 152:106520. [PMID: 33249225 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2020.106520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance of weight is essential for sustenance, well-being and to endorse prolonged life. The prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate globally, due to modern lifestyle and dietary habits. Endocannabinoids are fatty acid derivatives and numerous studies are carried out which focuses and targets their relationship with obesity, via multiple signals which have been recently known for exerting crucial role in regulating energy balance. PURPOSE This article aims at examining the prospects of endocannabinoids in obesity via directing the role of ECs in stimulating hunger. RESULT In last few years, irregular stimulation of endocannabinoid system has been suggested as a chief element in the progression of obesity-associated metabolic complications. Certainly, this cascade system comprises of cannabinoid type1 and 2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) along with their endogenous lipid ligands which are responsible for enhanced feeding behavior as well as lipid metabolism. Significantly, inhibiting CB1R activity might reduce metabolic abnormality linked with obesity. CONCLUSION Conclusion withdrawn on the basis of supporting scientific data and evidences report that the blockade of cannabinoids can serve as a therapeutic potential for treatment of obesity. Future prospective aims at assessing molecular pathways which contributes towards ECS, elicited weight control and to evaluate how these mechanisms are presently relocated into the production of novel cannabinoid drugs exhibiting enriched care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| | - Swati Chadha
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Monika Sachdeva
- Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Dhruv
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | | | - Abdul Hafeez
- Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environment Laboratory, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, France
| | - Sandeep Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Egypt
| | - Priya Nijhawan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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Hu L, Oden N, Tai B, VanVeldhuisen P. Prevalence of obesity among U.S. population with substance dependence. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 217:108293. [PMID: 32980787 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate associations between substance dependence and obesity. METHODS Obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) status and the status of dependence on heroin, stimulant, marijuana, nicotine and alcohol (past-month status for nicotine and past-year status for all others) were identified from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2015-2017) datasets. SAS Surveylogistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for the association between each substance dependence and obesity, adjusting for potentially confounding effects of sociodemographic factors and health condition. RESULTS It was estimated that 10.6 % of noninstitutional U.S. residents aged 12 years or older were nicotine-dependent, 3.0 % alcohol-dependent, 1.0 % marijuana-dependent, 0.6 % stimulant-dependent, and 0.2 % heroin-dependent. Heroin-dependent individuals had 59 % lower odds of obesity relative to their non-dependent counterparts (AOR = 0.41; 95 % CI: 0.28-0.60; p < 0.0001). Lower odds of obesity were also noted for marijuana-dependent (AOR = 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.56-0.73; p < 0.0001), nicotine-dependent (AOR = 0.68; 95 % CI: 0.64-0.72; p < 0.0001) and alcohol-dependent (AOR = 0.77, 95 % CI: 0.69-0.84; p < 0.0001) individuals, but not statistically significant for stimulant-dependent individuals (AOR = 0.84; 95 % CI: 0.68-1.02; p = 0.0825). CONCLUSIONS Heroin, marijuana, nicotine and alcohol dependence were associated with lower odds of obesity than their non-dependence counterparts. Main findings based on 2015-2017 NSDUH are consistent with findings from our prior report based on clinical trials data from National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network, and other epidemiological evidence in the literature. These findings can alert substance abuse treatment professionals to monitor weight change, especially among weight-concerned substance abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Hu
- The Emmes Company, LLC, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Neal Oden
- The Emmes Company, LLC, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Betty Tai
- Center for Clinical Trials Network, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Yang Y, Zhao Y, Li W, Wu Y, Wang X, Wang Y, Liu T, Ye T, Xie Y, Cheng Z, He J, Bai P, Zhang Y, Ouyang L. Emerging targets and potential therapeutic agents in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 197:112311. [PMID: 32339855 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, which is characterized by liver fat accumulation unrelated to excessive drinking. Indeed, it attracts growing attention and becomes a global health problem. Due to the complexity of the NAFLD pathogenic mechanism, no related drugs were approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) till now. However, it is encouraging that a series of candidate drugs have entered the clinical trial stage with expectation to treat NAFLD. In this review, we summarized the main pathways and pathogenic mechanisms of NAFLD, as well as introduced the main potential therapeutic targets and the corresponding compounds involved in metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, we also discuss the progress of these compounds, such as drug design and optimization, the choice of pharmacological properties and druglikeness, and the analysis of structure-activity relationship. This review offers a medium on future drug design and development, to be beneficial to relevant studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wenzhen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuyao Wu
- West China School of Public Health/No.4 West China Teaching Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tingmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongmei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiqiang Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Peng Bai
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Jones CB, Davis CM, Sfanos KS. The Potential Effects of Radiation on the Gut-Brain Axis. Radiat Res 2020; 193:209-222. [DOI: 10.1667/rr15493.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine M. Davis
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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Endocannabinoids in Body Weight Control. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11020055. [PMID: 29849009 PMCID: PMC6027162 DOI: 10.3390/ph11020055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of body weight is fundamental to maintain one's health and to promote longevity. Nevertheless, it appears that the global obesity epidemic is still constantly increasing. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid messengers that are involved in overall body weight control by interfering with manifold central and peripheral regulatory circuits that orchestrate energy homeostasis. Initially, blocking of eCB signaling by first generation cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) inverse agonists such as rimonabant revealed body weight-reducing effects in laboratory animals and men. Unfortunately, rimonabant also induced severe psychiatric side effects. At this point, it became clear that future cannabinoid research has to decipher more precisely the underlying central and peripheral mechanisms behind eCB-driven control of feeding behavior and whole body energy metabolism. Here, we will summarize the most recent advances in understanding how central eCBs interfere with circuits in the brain that control food intake and energy expenditure. Next, we will focus on how peripheral eCBs affect food digestion, nutrient transformation and energy expenditure by interfering with signaling cascades in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, fat depots and endocrine glands. To finally outline the safe future potential of cannabinoids as medicines, our overall goal is to address the molecular, cellular and pharmacological logic behind central and peripheral eCB-mediated body weight control, and to figure out how these precise mechanistic insights are currently transferred into the development of next generation cannabinoid medicines displaying clearly improved safety profiles, such as significantly reduced side effects.
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Spiegel AM. A double negative: inhibition of hepatic Gi signaling improves glucose homeostasis. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:567-569. [PMID: 29337307 DOI: 10.1172/jci99037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic glucose production (HGP) is a key determinant of glucose homeostasis. Glucagon binding to its cognate seven-transmembrane Gs-coupled receptor in hepatocytes stimulates cAMP production, resulting in increased HGP. In this issue of the JCI, Rossi and colleagues tested the hypothesis that activation of hepatic Gi-coupled receptors, which should inhibit cAMP production, would oppose the cAMP-inducing action of glucagon and thereby decrease HGP. Surprisingly, however, the opposite occurred: activation of Gi signaling increased HGP via a novel mechanism, while inhibition of Gi signaling reduced HGP. These results define a new physiologic role for hepatic Gi signaling and identify a potential therapeutic target for HGP regulation.
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