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Antonio M. Gotto, Jr, MD, DPhil
Welcome and Program Introduction (5:40)
Vincenzo Di Marzo, PhD
The Endocannabinoid System: A Target for Reducing Visceral Obesity and Subsequent Cardiovascular Risk (24:00)
H. Bryan Brewer, Jr, MD
HDL Metabolism: State-of-the-Art Insights (20:10)
Henry N. Ginsberg, MD
Insulin Resistance and Its Impact on Cardiometabolic Risk (25:45)
Luc Van Gaal, MD, PhD
Endocannabinoid Blockade: The RIO Program—In-Depth Discussion (30:15)
Christie M. Ballantyne, MD
Clinical Implications of the RIO Data (14:00)
Chair and Faculty
Panel Discussion/Q&A (29:55)

TEST INSTRUCTIONS
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  1. From where are endocannabinoids derived?

    A. Hypothalamic orexigenic mediators
    B. Phospholipid precursors
    C. Metabolic thyroid hormones
    D. Cholesterol degradation products
    E. Polypeptides

  2. Which of the following is a primary location of the CB1 receptor?

    A. Hypothalamus/nucleus accumbens
    B. GI tract
    C. Immune system
    D. Liver
    E. Pancreas

  3. According to epidemiologic studies, an improvement in which of the following levels may elicit a more significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk in comparison with the other parameters?

    A. C-reactive protein
    B. High LDL cholesterol
    C. Low HDL cholesterol
    D. High triglycerides
    E. Coronary calcium

  4. Which of the following processes has not been attributed to the cardioprotective effects of HDL cholesterol?

    A. Amelioration of ischemia/reperfusion injury
    B. Reverse cholesterol transport
    C. Increased production of nitric oxide
    D. Protection of LDL cholesterol from oxidation
    E. Reduction in inflammation

  5. Fat deposition in the viscera, muscle, and liver most often signifies which of the following conditions?

    A. Genetic mutations in fat storage
    B. Insulin resistance
    C. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes mellitus)
    D. Fatty liver
    E. Glucagon deficiency

  6. Which of the following statements about energy storage, insulin resistance, or insulin sensitivity is false?

    A. One of the metabolic functions of insulin is to stimulate the incorporation of amino acids into protein.
    B. Many individuals have a limited energy storage capacity of the subcutaneous fat depot below the waist, and when that is exceeded, they begin to fill the visceral adipose depot, abdominal subcutaneous fat, muscle, and liver with excess energy.
    C. Energy imbalance is a major environmental factor in the development of insulin resistance.
    D. PPAR-gamma agonists often cause weight gain due to an increase in fat mass despite improvements in insulin sensitivity.
    E. The nutrient composition of a diet is more important than the number of calories consumed in the short run to reduce weight and improve insulin sensitivity.

  7. In the RIO-Europe trial, what percentage of the patients who completed treatment with 20-mg rimonabant experienced weight loss of 10% or more?

    A. 8%
    B. 19%
    C. 39%
    D. 45%
    E. 54%

  8. What was the most common adverse event seen among patients given active therapy with rimonabant in the RIO-Lipids trial?

    A. Anxiety
    B. Headache
    C. Nausea
    D. Nasopharyngitis
    E. Dizziness

  9. According to the findings of the Heart Protection Study, what was the approximate 5-year rate for a first major vascular event among patients with both arterial disease and diabetes who were receiving a regimen of simvastatin?

    A. 10% or less
    B. 20%
    C. 30%
    D. 40%
    E. 50%

  10. The administration of an endocannabinoid antagonist, coupled with a hypocaloric diet and lifestyle modifications, to potentially manage multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes has been associated with all but which of the following effects?

    A. Significant weight reduction
    B. Significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels
    C. Improvement in glycosylated hemoglobin levels
    D. Increases in HDL cholesterol levels and reductions in triglyceride levels
    E. Reduction in blood pressure