Impact of endocannabinoid system in modulation of cardiometabolic risk factors

Endocannabinoid system, the complex of specific cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 subtypes) and their endogenous agonistic ligands (endocannabinoids) plays, besides others, an important role in the central and peripheral regulation of food intake, fat accumulation, and lipid and glucose metabolism. Alterations of these functions are associated with endocannabinoid system hyperactivity. The cannabinoid receptor CB1 antagonist rimonabant normalizes the over activated endocannabinoid system which contributes to the regulation of energy homeostasis, and improves lipid and glucose metabolism--decreases body weight, waist circumference, intra-abdominal obesity and triglycerides, increases HDL-C, improves insulin sensitivity according to HOMA index. Results of the international multicentric clinical trials confirm that rimonabant is well tolerated and show antiatherogenic effects (increased adiponectin, decreased marker of inflammation CRP and improvement of LDL profile) as well as decreased percentage of subjects with NCEP/ATPIII (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III) defined metabolic syndrome. Thus, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist rimonabant is suggested to be a prospective drug decreasing cardiometabolic risk factors.