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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

An Acupoint Catgut-embedding Therapy for Treating Obesity
Published on: April 4, 2025
Targeting 5-HT receptors for the treatment of obesity
Bruce J Sargent1, Alan J Henderson
1Discovery R&D, AMRI, 26 Corporate Circle, PO Box 15098, Albany, NY 12212-5098, United States. bruce.sargent@amriglobal.com
Abstract:
Serotonin is known to have anorectic properties through centrally acting mechanisms. Three serotonin receptors have been implicated in mediating these effects: 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(6). Hypophagic effects are elicited through agonism of the former two receptors, whereas antagonism of the 5-HT(6) receptor appears to have an anorectic effect. All three targets have been validated through extensive studies including knockout mice and selective ligand assessment. 5-HT(1B) receptor agonists have limited utility due to mechanism-based side effects, whereas 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists suffer from challenges associated with selectivity over the closely related 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2B) receptors. 5-HT(6) receptor antagonists appear to offer great promise, although the mechanisms through which they reduce food intake and body weight are not fully understood.
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