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Document Details : Title: The β3-adrenoreceptor: physiological role and potential therapeutic applications Author(s): BALLIGAND JL Journal: Acta Clinica Belgica Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Date: 2000 Pages: 209-214 DOI: 10.2143/ACB.55.4.1002903 Abstract : The characterization in 1989 of a full cDNA clone for the β3-adrenoceptor helped to interprete some effects of catecholamines independent of the classical activation of β1 and β2 adrenoceptors in early pharmacological studies (1). In the rodent, the β3 adrenoceptor is highly expressed in the white adipose tissue where energy is stored in the form of triglycerides and in the brown adipose tissue that is specialized in thermogenesis. Treatment of animals with β3 adrenoceptor agonists induces a weight loss through the stimulation of lipolysis in the two types of adipose tissues. Studies performed in rodent species led to propose the use of these agonists in the treatment of obesity and of non insulindependent diabetes in man. However, the poor lipolytic effect of these agonists in the white adipose tissue in the human species and the recent discovery of a functional β3 adrenoceptor in the human heart both enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological role of this receptor and raise further questions on the potential therapeutic use of these molecules in patients. |
