The Obesity Epidemic: Pharmacological Challenges

Enzyme targets in fatty acid metabolism. Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis, by inhibiting fatty acid synthase (FAS), and enhancing fatty acid oxidation, by targeting carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) or glycerol-3-phosphoacyl-transferase (GPAT), can effect dramatic changes in hypothalamic energy balance. Significant weight loss through modulation of these enzymes reflects reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. (See text for details. ACC, acetyl CoA carboxylase; ACS, acyl CoA synthetase; TCA, tricarboxylic acid.)