The endocannabinoid system and obesity

The endocannabinoid system comprises endocannabinoid and two cloned subtypes of cannabinoid receptor, CB1 and CB2, which can stimulate appetite when activated. ompared with normal mice, the body weight and the mass of adipose tissue of CB1(-/-) mice decrease significantly. B1(-/-) mice don't develope obesity and insulin resistance even given high-fat diet. Evidence suggested that CB1 antagonists can decrease appetite and improve metabolism through central and peripheral ways. Rimonabant, a CB1 antagonist, has been in phase Ⅲ clinical trials for treatment of obesity and can decrease appetite and weight in humans. No serious side effect of rimonabant has been reported yet.