Endocannabinoids, adipose tissue and lipid metabolism

Endoannabinoids regulate energy balance by modulating hypothalamic circuits controlling food intake and energy expenditure. However, convincing evidence has accumulated indicating that the endocannabinoid system is present also in peripheral tissues, in particular in adipose tissue. Fat cells produce (and are targets of) endocannabinoids. Adipogenesis, lipogenesis and glucose uptake are stimulated by endocannabinoids through CB1 receptors and these effects are blocked by the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant, suggesting that the weight-lowering effect of CB1 receptor blockade is partly due to peripheral mechanisms. This review will focus on the role of endocannabinoids in adipose tissue metabolism, adipokine production and interactions between endocannabinoids and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors during adipogenesis.