Lymphocyte subset, lymphocyte proliferative response, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in anorexic patients

Background: Despite a prominent malnourished state,anorexics are unexpected ly free from infection. Several studies have shown that the cell-mediated i mmunity of anorexics might be well preserved but results are conflicting. Methods: Lymphocyte subsets, lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglut inin, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 7 patien ts with anorexia nervosa restricting type (RAN), 6 with anorexia nervosa bi nge-eating/purging type (ANBP), and 8 controls (C). Results: Compared with controls, significantly elevated percentage of CD4 a nd CD4/CD8 ratio in ANBP was found. Although there was no significant diffe rence in lymphoproliferative response among the three groups, sIL-2R in RAN was significantly lower than that in the C group, but not in ANBP. Conclusions: Although detail mechanism still remains to be unknown, some ki nds of compensatory mechanism for cell-mediated immunity is working, especi ally in chronic underweight anorexic patients. (C) 1999 Society of Biologic al Psychiatry.