Cytokine production in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity

Objective: We previously reported elevated serum levels of the cytokines in terleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in patien ts with anorexia nervosa (AN). We investigated the cellular production of t hese two cytokines and of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in subjects with AN, bulimia nervosa (BN) and obesity as well as in normal-weight control s ubjects. Methods: Supernatant fluids from isolated peripheral blood mononuc lear cells (PBMC) incubated with and without concanavalin A (ConA) were ass ayed for cytokine concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIS A). Results: Significant differences across the four groups were found in t he stimulated cellular production of IFN-gamma and IL-6. Stimulated IFN-gam ma production was elevated in the AN group compared to controls. IL-6 produ ction was significantly elevated in obese subjects relative to the two norm al-weight groups, BN and controls, and tended to be higher in the AN group than in the controls, but not significantly so. IL-1 alpha production was g reater in obese subjects. Conclusion: The findings of increased IFN-gamma p roduction and a tendency toward increased IL-6 production (both of which su ppress food intake in animals) in individuals who severely restrict food in take suggest a potential role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of AN . Elevated IL-6 and IL-1 alpha production by PBMC in obese individuals requ ires further investigation to determine ii these cytokines contribute to th e development or perpetuation of obesity. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, In c.