Fatty foods produce endocannabinoids
Discovered the biological mechanism underlying the pleasure given by the junk food: open the way for the study of anti-obesity drugs with no effect on the brain.
The Department of Drug Discovery and Development of the Italian Institute of Technology, led by Professor Daniele Piomelli, is the author of a major study published today in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences): “An Endocannabinoid signal in the gut dietary controls fat intake”. Coordinated by Professor Daniele Piomelli, is the result of a collaboration between the Italian-American Italian Institute of Technology, the University of California – Irvine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York.
As we know, is very hard to resist fatty foods: We all know the effects of the food that we find in fast food, from french fries to the accompanying sauces. Today, researchers involved in this project, have identified a surprising biological mechanism, which has proved to be the basis of the difficulty in stop eating foods high in fat, once started their ingestion.
The tests carried out, it was emphasized the fundamental role of endocannabinoids in generating the momentum. These are substances produced naturally by the human body, so named because the THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, or cannabis, it mimics the effects, including the desire for food.
In tests, it is seen that the only fatty foods, so no sugars or proteins, generating a signal of positive feedback in the language, first, is sent to the brain and from there, through the vagus nerve, the bowel. Here, the signal stimulates the production of two endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG (2-sn-glycerol-arachidonil), which bind to their target receptor CB-1 (Cannabinoid-1), causing the sensation of desire, almost certainly by regulating the release of chemicals involved in hunger and satiety.
“Speaking in evolutionary terms – explains Prof. Daniele Piomelli – the existence of this mechanism was very important for adaptation and survival of mammals, because fatty foods are a major and primary source of energy. But, today, it is not so, and because in our environment we have all the nutrients we need, and because the physical effort we suffer is much smaller than in the past. Therefore, this mechanism, so necessary in past, is due to become overweight, obesity and very important, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer”.
In addition, it has been shown also that, through the administration of a CB-1 receptor antagonist, called rimonabant, which blocks the activation, the need to ingestion of fat decreases. This has an important implication: it would be possible to inhibit endocannabinoid receptors locally in the gut, and not centrally, eliminating the side effects of their blockade on the brain, such as anxiety and depression.
“Today, the solutions against obesity – Professor continues. Piomelli – and many are not, however, are quite invasive or have side effects very important. Consider, for example, interventions, with the use of a balloon or a ring, or prescribing anorectic drugs such as amphetamine. The ability to inhibit locally and not centrally, the desire to ingest fat would be a great step forward, with many health benefits of patient”.
