Relationship Between Endocannabinoid System, Insulin Resistance and Fatty Acids

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system is an intracellular signaling system playing a critical role in ensuring the energy balance. Thus it has become a new research topic for treatment diseases, including mainly obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and eating disorders, characterized by impairment of energy balance. The activation of the endocannabinoid system causes signals increasing appetite by effective in brain. Moreover, by increasing lipogenesis and decreasing adiponectin production and glucose utilization in peripheral tissues, it causes insulin resistance. Researches showed that dietary profile or nutritional pattern are effective on endocannabinoid level as endocannabinoids are effective on regulation of food intake. However, data related whether or not there is a specific nutrient effecting endocannabinoid system or studies related to cannabinoids that have therapeutic effect on insulin resistance are insufficient.