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The cannabinoid receptor 1 and its role in influencing peripheral metabolism
Author(s) -
O'Keefe L.,
Simcocks A. C.,
Hryciw D. H.,
Mathai M. L.,
McAinch A. J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diabetes, obesity and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.445
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1463-1326
pISSN - 1462-8902
DOI - 10.1111/dom.12144
Subject(s) - cannabinoid receptor , peripheral , cannabinoid , neuroscience , endocannabinoid system , metabolism , receptor , chemistry , biology , medicine , biochemistry , agonist
Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated the deleterious pathological effects of a dysregulated endocannabinoid system. Increased stimulation of the cannabinoid receptor 1 ( CB 1 ) and subsequent downstream cellular signalling are both causative in the deleterious pathological effects observed in a number of diseases. When the CB 1 cell signalling cascade is blocked, this results in whole body weight‐loss, leading to a reduction in obesity and associated co‐morbidities. In the central nervous system; however, CB 1 antagonism results in adverse psychological side effects. Blockade of CB 1 via peripheral acting compounds that do not cross the blood–brain barrier have been determined to have beneficial effects in metabolic tissues such as the liver and skeletal muscle. These results support the notion that peripheral blockade of CB 1 using pharmacological antagonists is a viable target for the treatment of the current epidemic of obesity and its associated co‐morbidities.