Circulating Endocannabinoids and the Polymorphism 385C>A in Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) Gene May Identify the Obesity Phenotype Related to Cardiometabolic Risk: A Study Conducted in a Brazilian Population of Complex Interethnic Admixture.

The dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system is associated with cardiometabolic complications of obesity. Allelic variants in coding genes for this system components may contribute to differences in the susceptibility to obesity and related health hazards. These data have mostly been shown in Caucasian populations and in severely obese individuals.

The endocannabinoid system--back to the scene of cardiometabolic risk factors control?

This review examines the impact of the endocannabinoid signaling system on metabolic and cardiovascular health and the new therapeutic strategies that selectively target dysfunctional endocannabinoid action in peripheral tissues, without causing the undesirable central nervous system effects that occurred with the first-generation of CB1 receptor blockers. We first review the components of the endocannabinoid system and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade the endocannabinoids, the critical role of the system in the homeostasis of energy balance, and its hedonic aspects related to the incentive and motivational value of food. Second, we describe the central and peripheral actions of the endocannabinoid system and its interactions with other biological modulators, such as ghrelin and leptin.

Association between leptin and its soluble receptor with cardiometabolic risk factors in a Brazilian population.

Background: Most studies evaluating the conjoint effects of leptin and human soluble leptin receptor (hs-LR) on cardiometabolic risk factors have been conducted in well-characterized ethnic groups. We aimed to assess the associations of leptin and hs-LR with the cardiometabolic risk factors that reflect the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Brazilian population with varying degrees of adiposity.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of adult subjects (n=173, age 45 ± 12 years, 124 women; body mass index [BMI] 35.

Beta3-adrenergic receptor polymorphism is related to cardiometabolic risk factors in obese Brazilian subjects.

We determined whether ADRbeta3 polymorphism is associated with obesity-related traits in 140 obese patients. Molecular analysis was performed by PCR and RFLP. Individuals carrying the Arg64 allele had a lower waist-to-hip ratio, higher adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and a tendency towards lower blood pressure.

Effect of a high-calcium energy-reduced diet on abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese Brazilian subjects.

Background: Clinical trials designed to examine the effects of calcium supplementation on abdominal obesity have had ambiguous results.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate, during energy restriction, the effects of a high-calcium diet (HCD) on measures of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian obese subjects of multiethnic origin.

Methods: We conducted a randomised clinical trial.