Cytokines and anorexia nervosa

Objective: Recent studies have indicated that the inflammatory cytokines co uld be implicated in anorexia nervosa and in its complications. To determin ate the potential role of interleukins (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), int erferon (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and transforming gr owth factor (TGF-beta2) in anorexia nervosa, serum concentrations of these cytokines were measured in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa in comp arison to healthy subjects. Method: Twenty-nine anorexic women according to DSM-IV criteria participated in the study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy women without eating disorders, mood disorders, and immunologica l disorders. Results: We find that serum IL-2 and TGF-beta2 concentrations were both significantly decreased in anorexic patients, although the other cytokines did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results show that in patients with anorexia nervosa, there are lower le vels of specific cytokines (especially IL-2 and TGF-beta2). These levels ma y reflect the combination of impaired nutrition and weight loss, therefore, the dysregulation of these cytokines may contribute in anorexia's complica tions, Follow-up studies should examine the effects of parameters such as s tarvation, psychopathologic factors, and psychoneuroendocrinological pertur bation which could affect interplay between cytokines, neuropeptides, and n eurotransmitters.