Premium
The Role of Endocannabinoid System Blockade in the Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome
Author(s) -
Kakafika Anna I.,
Mikhailidis Dimitri P.,
Karagiannis Asterios,
Athyros Vasilios G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1177/0091270007299358
Subject(s) - rimonabant , metabolic syndrome , medicine , glycemic , adiponectin , type 2 diabetes , weight loss , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , placebo , endocannabinoid system , blood pressure , obesity , cannabinoid receptor , insulin resistance , antagonist , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology
This review considers the use of the first selective blocker of the cannabinoid receptor type 1, rimonabant, to reduce weight and improve cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese patients with metabolic syndrome or multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. In 4 large trials—Rimonabant in Obesity (RIO)–Lipids, RIO‐Europe, RIO–North America, and RIO‐Diabetes—after 1 to 2 years of treatment, rimonabant (20 mg/day) led to a significantly greater weight loss and reduction in waist circumference compared with placebo. Treatment with rimonabant was also associated with other favorable changes, including better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus, improved lipid profile, reduced blood pressure, increased adiponectin levels, fall in high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein concentrations, and an overall decrease in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Initial experience with rimonabant shows that it is generally well tolerated with the most common side effect of mild nausea. Rimonabant may be a useful adjunct to lifestyle and behavior modification in the treatment of obese subjects with metabolic syndrome or multiple cardiometabolic risk factors.