Therapeutic approaches to obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a major healthcare problem both in the United States and Europe and its prevalence continues to escalate. Accordingly, there is intense investigation into pharmacological therapies for the long-term treatment of obesity and associated co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Efforts have been focused on agents which suppress appetite, influence energy expenditure and influence nutrient handling. The diversity of molecular targets implicated as important in the regulation of food intake/body weight is evident by the >> 250 patents which are the focus of this article on therapeutic approaches to obesity. The patents covered date from 1995 through to the first quarter of 1998.

• β3-adrenergic receptor
• neuropeptide Y
• OB protein
• obesity
• pharmacological therapies