Preface
Obesity is a disease which leads to a number of chronic illnesses and reduced life expectancy. It is a complex health problem, caused by a number of factors such as excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, endocrine disorders, medications and psychiatric illnesses. It has been identified as the leading preventable cause of mortality and morbidity, and substantial research work has been carried out to identify the strategies and molecular targets for pharmacological interventions. Onset of obesity in both developing and developed world has reached to epidemic proportions. In response to this, efforts to control and treat obesity have also been vigorously pursued, ranging from raising awareness about life style changes to the discovery and development of safe and effective anti-obesity drugs.
The book entitled of “Anti-obesity Drug Discovery and Development” is focused on this very important area of healthcare research. Fifteen well written reviews make this special volume an excellent compilation of state-of-the-art developments in the subject.
Hsu et al., in the first chapter of the book set the stage for subsequent contributions by providing fundamental facts and statistics about obesity as well as the need of anti-obesity drugs. Constandi et al. review the current understanding about relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disorders (CVD). More specifically dyslipidemia in obesity is a major cause of CVD in obese patients, and strategies to increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels hold great promise. Barros-Mazon et al. in their chapter review studies conducted on inflammatory and metabolic aspects of obesity, and the positive changes that occur with sustained weight loss. The review contributed by Kusti et al. focuses on pharmacological interventions developed to treat obesity. It presents the diverse options currently available to shunt various points in the complex molecular cascade of obesity.
Modern technologies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, have been employed to study obesity and molecular markers associated with the disease. This important area is reviewed by Kim and Zakharkin in their article. Cynthia Arbeeny has contributed a review on the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular risks, as well as targets which have been identified to develop pharmacological agents to reduce CVD related morbidity and mortality. Carpène and Iffiu-Soltesz have contributed a review focusing on discrepancies between the cultured adipocyte model and animal model in the discovery of anti-obesity drugs. The role of rimonabant as an anti-obesity drug and the associated adverse side-effects, along with its mechanism of action and results of clinical studies, have been reviewed by Curioni et al. This is an interesting account of the rise and fall of a “block-buster” drug and future prospects of its use. Secondary metabolites isolated from medicinal plants, have been used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Park and Kim review the available information on various aspects of the potential uses of plant-based compounds against obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities. Some of the promising phytochemicals in the treatment of obesity have been discussed in this review. A greater understanding of obesity on molecular basis led to the discovery of opioid peptides and opiate receptors. These molecules are believed to mediate in the appetite towards palatable food. They are therefore regarded as an effective target in anti-obesity drug development. The role of opioid peptides and opiate receptors are reviewed by Reid and Davis. Rivera et al. present the studies conducted on the development of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) antagonists as a target for anti-obesity drug development. Structure-function of MCH-R1 and discovery of antagonists are the two main topics of this review. A review on the discovery of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) as a potential target for anti-obesity drug development is contributed by Hoareau et al. They emphasize the need for the development of safe and effective CBR1 antagonists after the failure of Torcetraqib. Recent studies confirm that food intake is regulated by certain receptors in brain. Similarly it has been discovered that specific endocrine cells, the X/A-like cells of gastric mucosa, play an important role in appetite. The role of endocrine cells, and acylated ghrelin released from these cells, in food intake is reviewed by Stengel et al. Flouris et al. have contributed a chapter focusing on the association between obesity and inflammation, along with efficacy of biochemical mimics in the control of obesity-related inflammation. Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective strategies to treat obesity disorder. Jacob et al. review the after effects of such surgeries such as vitamin deficiencies. They have also discussed various strategies developed to overcome post-operative problems.
We would like to express our deep gratitude to all the contributors for making this volume an excellent compilation of modern knowledge on the science of obesity and its treatment. We also wish to express our thanks to Ms. Taqdees Malik (Editorial Assistant), Ms. Sadaf Idrees Khan (Composer) and members of Bentham Science Publishers (The Netherlands) for their assistance in the timely completion of this assignment. We are also most grateful to Mr. Mahmood Alam (Managing Director) for efficiently leading the Bentham team in this project.
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman,
FRS
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary
Editors
List of Contributors
Editor(s):
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman FRS
University of Karachi
Pakistan
Prof. Dr. M.Iqbal Choudhary
University of Karachi
Pakistan
Contributor(s):
Ya-Wen Hsu
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital
Community Medicine Research Centre and Institute of Public Health
National Yang Ming University
Taipei
Taiwan
Po-Wen Ku
Graduate Institute of Sports and Health, National Changhua University of Education
National Yang Ming University
Taipei
Taiwan
Da-Chen Chu
Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei City Hospital
Community Medicine Research Centre and Institute of Public Health
National Yang Ming University
Taipei
Taiwan
Tsan-Hon Liou
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital
Taipei
Taiwan
Pesus Chou
Community Medicine Research Centre and Institute of Public Health
National Yang Ming University
Taipei
Taiwan
Justina Costandi
Department of Medicine, Graduate Department of Medical Sciences
Henderson Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton
Graduate Department of Medical Sciences
Ontario
Canada
Michelle Melone
Department of Medicine, Henderson Research Centre
McMaster University, Hamilton
Ontario
Canada
Shirya Rashid
Department of Medicine, Graduate Department of Medical Sciences
Henderson Research Centre, McMaster University
Graduate Department of Medical Sciences
McMaster University, Hamilton
Ontario
Canada
Silvia de Barros-Mazon
Department of Clinical Pathology
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Daniela Miguel Marin
Department of Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Puzzi de Carvalho Camila
Department of Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Sarah Monte Alegre
Department of Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Mohannad Kusti
Department of Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood
West Virginia
USA
Forrest Olgers
Department of Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood
West Virginia
USA
Ehab Akkary
Department of Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood
West Virginia
USA
Kyoungmi Kim
Division of Biostatistics
University of California Davis School of Medicine and Technology and Innovation, Solae
St. Louis
MO
USA
Stanislav O. Zakharkin
Division of Biostatistics
University of California Davis School of Medicine and Technology and Innovation, Solae
St. Louis
MO
USA
Cynthia Arbeeny
Vice President Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases
Genzyme Corporation, 49 New York Ave.
Framingham
MA , 01701-9322
USA
Christian Carpéné
INSERM, U858 Institut de Médecine Moléculaire de Rangueil
Université de Toulouse III
UPS, IFR 150
Toulouse
France
Zsuzsa Iffiú-Soltész
Université de Toulouse III
UPS, IFR 150
Toulouse
France
/
Department of Pharmacodynamics
Semmelweis University
Budapest
Hungary
Cintia Curioni
Departamento de Nutrição Social
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Rua S Francisco Xavier, 524 – Maracanã
Rio de Janeiro
RJ, 20550-900
Brazil
Cintia Azara
Faculdade Arthur Sá Earp Neto
Av. Barão do Rio Branco 1003
Centro Petrópolis
RJ, 25680-120
Brazil
Jane Capelli
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé – Curso de Nutrição
Rua Aluísio da Silva Gomes, 50
Granja dos Cavaleiros
Macaé
RJ, 27930-560
Brazil
Taesun Park
Department of Food and Nutrition
Yonsei University, 262 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu
University of Udine
Seoul, 120-749
Republic of Korea
Yunjung Kim
Department of Food and Nutrition
Yonsei University, University of Udine
262 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu
Seoul, 120-749
Republic of Korea
Caroline Reid
Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University
4700 Keele Street, M3J 1P3, 503-10 Navy Wharf Court
Toronto, M5V 3V2
Ontario
Canada
Caroline Davis
Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University
4700 Keele Street M3J 1P3, 503-10 Navy Wharf Court
Toronto, M5V 3V2
Ontario
Canada
Gildardo Rivera
Departamento de Farmacia y Química Medicinal
Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa Aztlán
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas
Calle 16 y Lago de Chápala, s/n
Reynosa, 88740
México
Antonio Monge
Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos
Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA)
Universidad de Navarra, Calle Irunlarrea, s/n
Pamplona, 31008
España
Virgilio Bocanegra-Garcia
Departamento de Farmacia y Química Medicinal
Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa Aztlán
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas
Calle 16 y Lago de Chápala, s/n
Reynosa, 88740
México
Laurence Hoareau
Groupe d’Etude sur l’Inflammation Chronique et l’Obésité (GEICO), Plateforme CYROI
Université de La Réunion, 2 rue Maxime Rivière
Sainte Clotilde, 97490
France
Karima Bencharif
Groupe d’Etude sur l’Inflammation Chronique et l’Obésité (GEICO)
Plateforme CYROI - Université de La Réunion
2 rue Maxime Rivière
Sainte Clotilde, 97490
France
Régis Roche
Groupe d’Etude sur l’Inflammation Chronique et l’Obésité (GEICO)
Plateforme CYROI - Université de La Réunion
2 rue Maxime Rivière
Sainte Clotilde, 97490
France
Andreas Stengel
CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center and Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health
Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles
California
USA
Miriam Goebel
CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center and Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health
Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles
California
USA
Yvette Taché
CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center and Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health
Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles
California
USA
Andreas D. Flouris
FAME Laboratory, Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation
Centre for Research and Technology Thessaly, Karies
Trikala, 42100
Greece
Andres E. Carrillo
FAME Laboratory, Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation
Centre for Research and Technology Thessaly, Karies
Trikala, 42100
Greece
Giorgos S. Metsios
School of Sports, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton
Walsall Campus, Gorway Road
Walsall, WS1 3BD
UK
Susan Jacob
Department of Veterans Affairs Loma Linda
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona
CA
USA
Nhu Nguyen
Department of Veterans Affairs Loma Linda
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona
CA
USA
Christian S. Jackson
Department of Veterans Affairs Loma Linda
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona
CA
USA
Stewart Rendon
Department of Veterans Affairs Loma Linda
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona
CA
USA