Energy Intake

Neuropeptides and Appetite Regulation

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Among other mediators of neuropeptide release, endocannabinoids have recently received a great deal of attention with the characterization of the endocannabinoid system and documentation of its role in energy balance. The two major endocannabinoids known to affect energy balance are 2-AG and anandamide. Endocannabinoids bind to and activate cannabinoid-receptor-1 (CB1), which is located in the brain and in the periphery (adipose tissue, liver, GI tract, skeletal muscle, and pancreas). In the brain, CB1 receptors are found in the limbic system, which plays a role in hedonic evaluation of food. They are also found in the hypothalamus and serve to enhance food intake. It has recently been shown that men with abdominal (especially intra-abdominal or visceral) obesity have elevated plasma 2-AG levels, suggesting that endocannabinoids may not only be involved in energy balance, but also in regulating body fat distribution and ectopic fat deposition (15, 16). Antagonism of CB1 receptors fosters weight loss, reduces abdominal fat, and improves the cardiometabolic risk profile of men and women with dyslipidemia (17).

Reference

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15. Côté M, Matias I, Lemieux I, et al. Circulating endocannabinoid levels, abdominal adiposity and related cardiometabolic risk factors in obese men. Int J Obes (Lond) 2007; 31: 692-9.

16. Bluher M, Engeli S, Kloting N, et al. Dysregulation of the peripheral and adipose tissue endocannabinoid system in human abdominal obesity. Diabetes 2006; 55: 3053-60.

17. Després JP, Golay A and Sjostrom L. Effects of rimonabant on metabolic risk factors in overweight patients with dyslipidemia. N Engl J Med 2005; 353: 2121-34.

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