<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The endocannabinoid system (ECS) received a lot of attention ever since its discovery. Advancements of the last three decades have shown that there are numerous mechanisms by which the ECS regulates the energy metabolism. These can either be central (regulating appetite and calorie expenditure) or peripheral (adipocyte-specific and other) mechanisms. The current review highlights some of the most important observations leading to the discovery of the ECS first, followed by a part detailing the synthesis and transport of these mediators, the receptor types and second messenger systems involved. The next part is dedicated to the mechanisms by which this system regulates the energy metabolism. Lastly, the drugs that reached the clinical phase and the main targets and strategies for future drug development will be reviewed.</p></abstract>

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) received a lot of attention ever since its discovery. Advancements of the last three decades have shown that there are numerous mechanisms by which the ECS regulates the energy metabolism. These can either be central (regulating appetite and calorie expenditure) or peripheral (adipocyte-specific and other) mechanisms. The current review highlights some of the most important observations leading to the discovery of the ECS first, followed by a part detailing the synthesis and transport of these mediators, the receptor types and second messenger systems involved. The next part is dedicated to the mechanisms by which this system regulates the energy metabolism. Lastly, the drugs that reached the clinical phase and the main targets and strategies for future drug development will be reviewed.

The endocannabinoid system: from the receptors to therapy

University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy

Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, Faculty of Medicine

Bulletin of Medical Sciences

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The endocannabinoid system: from the receptors to therapy"}

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) received a lot of attention ever since its discovery. Advancements of the last three decades have shown that there are...

The endocannabinoid system: from the receptors to therapy

Published Online: Feb 13, 2020

Page range: 1 - 14

Received: Feb 03, 2019

Accepted: Apr 02, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/orvtudert-2019-0002

Keywords
endocannabinoid system, metabolism, central and peripheral mechanism, appetite regulation, adipogenesis

© 2019 Bába László-István et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The endocannabinoid system: from the receptors to therapy

Published Online: Feb 13, 2020

Page range: 1 - 14

Received: Feb 03, 2019

Accepted: Apr 02, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/orvtudert-2019-0002

Keywordsendocannabinoid system, metabolism, central and peripheral mechanism, appetite regulation, adipogenesis

© 2019 Bába László-István et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
endocannabinoid system, metabolism, central and peripheral mechanism, appetite regulation, adipogenesis