Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats
Published on: June 27, 2014
[The endocannabinoid system, overweight, and the CB1-endocannabinoid-receptor antagonist rimonabant]
S M Boekholdt1, J W Jukema, R J G Peters
1Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Cardiologie. s.m.boekholdt@amc.uva.nl
Abstract:
--Obesity is an important healthcare issue. --Recent research has led to insights into the role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of body weight. --Rimonabant is a CB1-endocannabinoid-receptor antagonist. --Four trials were published recently on the efficacy and safety of rimonabant in the treatment of people with obesity. --When combined with a hypocaloric diet, rimonabant 20 mg/day was more effective than placebo in achieving and maintaining weight loss. In addition, treatment with rimonabant had beneficial effects on insulin resistance, HDL-cholesterol and hypertriglyceridaemia. --There is concern regarding the increased incidence of depression during treatment. --Whether the beneficial effects of rimonabant on weight reduction and cardiovascular risk factors translate into a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remains to be established in large phase III trials.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Regulation of Food Intake
The Two-State Receptor Model
The binding affinity of a drug determines its interaction with one...
Opioid Receptors: Overview
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous ligand's action.

