Antiobesity effects of chronic cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist treatment in diet-induced obese mice

Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Feb 21;462(1-3):125-32. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(03)01343-8.

Abstract

We determined the effect of a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist (AM-251; N-(Piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide) on food intake, body weight and adipose tissue mass in Western diet-induced obese (DIO) mice using a chronic, interrupted, oral dosing paradigm. The dosing paradigm was 2 weeks on treatment (treatment 1), 2 weeks off-treatment, followed by 2 weeks on treatment (treatment 2). During treatment 1 and treatment 2, food intake and body weight were reduced after a single dose. At 30 mg/kg/day, anorectic efficacy was maintained through 12 days (treatment 1) and 7 days (treatment 2). Body weight of AM-251-treated mice remained less than vehicle-treated mice throughout treatment 1 and treatment 2. Administration of AM-251 reduced inguinal subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissue mass. Antiobesity effects of AM-251 were lost during the off-treatment period, and hyperphagia was observed in treated animals. With re-initiation of AM-251 treatment, mice again responded to the effects of the compound. These results support the hypothesis that chronic treatment of obese individuals with cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists is a viable pharmacologic approach to sustained weight loss.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Insulin / blood
  • Leptin / blood
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Fats
  • Insulin
  • Leptin
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Triglycerides
  • AM 251
  • Cholesterol