Current Drug Targets - Volume 5, Issue 3, 2004

Over the last decade, understanding of the circuits and molecules involved in the regulation of energy balance has expanded dramatically. A complex system has evolved which allows the brain to read, interpret and integrate a wide range of signals and to elicit appropriate changes in food intake and energy expenditure as a result of the information. A series of shortterm signals derived from the gastrointestinal tract, s Read More

The discovery of the adiposity signal leptin a decade ago revolutionised our understanding of the hypothalamic mechanisms underpinning the central control of ingestive behaviour. Subsequently, the structure and function of various hypothalamic peptide systems (Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Orexins, Melanocortins, Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulating Transcript (CART), Galanin / Galanin Like Peptides (GALP) and endocannab Read More

Adipose tissue plays an active role in energy balance because it is not only a lipid storing and mobilizing tissue but consists of functionally specialized tissues able to produce heat (in brown adipose tissue) and to produce or release a vast number of so called adipokines or adipocytokines. These consist of polypeptides but also non-protein factors and are metabolically active molecules belonging to different Read More

Immune activation occurs in response to noxious stimuli such tissue injury, infection, inflammation and malignant neoplasia with the production of cytokines both in the circulation and the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to their fundamental immune functions, cytokines such as the interleukins (ILs), interferons (IFNs) and tumour necrosis factor-a also elicit significant pathophysiological effects on feeding behaviour a Read More

Cachexia is a complex syndrome. The main components of this pathological state are anorexia and metabolic abnormalities such as glucose intolerance, fat depletion, and muscle protein catabolism among others. The aim of the present article is to review the different therapeutic approaches that have been designed to fight and counteract muscle wasting in different pathological states such as cancer, AIDS and ch Read More

The antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are fundamental tools in current psychiatric practice. A new generation of agents, the atypical APDs, represents an important progress in the treatment of psychotic disorders. Unfortunately, some of them induce excessive body weight gain (BWG), obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in the following order: clozapine ≅ olanzapine > quetiapine > risperidone > ziprasidone = aripiprazole. Read More

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a newly defined diagnostic category characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating not followed by the inappropriate compensatory weight loss behaviors characteristic of bulimia nervosa. BED is usually associated with overweight or obesity and psychopathology. Pharmacotherapy may be a useful component of a multidimensional treatment approach. Although pharmacotherapy Read More

The pharmacological treatment options for obesity are currently very limited but the prevalence of the disease is increasing rapidly. Obesity has many serious sequelae, the most common of which is type-2-diabetes. The benefits of weight loss on health are established but the major impediment to weight loss treatments is maintenance of weight lost over the long term. The reduced- or post-obese individual undergoe Read More

Obesity is a major health problem and as a result, it is reasonable to consider pharmacological approaches alongside approaches involving diet, physical activity and lifestyle change. The currently available drugs, sibutramine and orlistat, result in modest, clinically worthwhile weight loss, with demonstrable improvements in co-morbidity, but do not meet the often unrealistic expectations of patients or health care professionals Read More