On the Role of Central Type-1 Cannabinoid Receptor Gene Regulation in Food Intake and Eating Behaviors.

Carlo Cifani,Mariangela Pucci,Paolo De Cristofaro,Mauro Maccarrone,Claudio D’Addario,Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura,Emanuela Micioni Di Bonaventura,Elizabeta Zaplatic

doi:10.3390/ijms22010398

Abstract

Different neuromodulatory systems are involved in long-term energy balance and body weight and, among these, evidence shows that the endocannabinoid system, in particular the activation of type-1 cannabinoid receptor, plays a key role. We here review current literature focusing on the role of the gene encoding type-1 cannabinoid receptors in the CNS and on the modulation of its expression by food intake and specific eating behaviors. We point out the importance to further investigate how environmental cues might have a role in the development of obesity as well as eating disorders through the transcriptional regulation of this gene in order to prevent or to treat these pathologies.

Highlights

Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden
Studies on the role played by the reward circuits in defining hedonic aspects of feeding allowed to define how common mechanisms are shared by drug abuse and food addiction [22,23,24]
The exposure to a palatable diet resulted in tissue and sex-specific changes in the gene expression of both CB1 R and type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2 R) in the HYP of offspring and adults. These results clearly indicate that the maternal diet has long-term effects on the development of pups through multiple alterations of signaling homeostatic pathways that include cannabinoid receptors [93]

Summary

Central Regulation of Food Intake and the Role of Cannabinoid Receptor Type-1

Food intake might be considered the integration of humoral and neuronal signals processed by the nervous system for the balance of energy and of sensory cues, as well as of the motivational and emotional state of an individual. The hypothalamus (HYP) is the center for the integration and control of essential bodily functions, such as circadian rhythm, body temperature and plasma-osmolarity, and traditionally recognized as the main brain region regulating food intake. Studies on the role played by the reward circuits in defining hedonic aspects of feeding allowed to define how common mechanisms are shared by drug abuse and food addiction [22,23,24] Both are compulsive behavioral disorders that induce alterations in brain mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and energy homeostasis, showing common vulnerabilities and pathophysiological aspects [25]. We focused mainly on the role of type-1 Cannabinoid Receptor gene (CNR1) gene, which encodes for CB1 R, and its regulation in food intake and eating behaviors

CNR1 Gene

CNR1 Gene in the Control of Energy Homeostasis and Obesity

CNR1 Gene in Eating Disorders

Conclusions