Dysfunction of Inflammatory Pathways and Their Relationship with Anti-Hypothalamic Autoantibodies in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2023 Jul 11

PMID 37432371

Authors

Andrea Amerio

Andrea Escelsior

Eleonora Martino

Antonella Strangio

Costanza Giacomini

Elisa Montagna

Andrea Aguglia

Marina Bellomo

Samir Giuseppe Sukkar

Daniele Saverino

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Despite several attempts, the etiopathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) is still unknown. However, the activation of the immune response in neuropsychiatric diseases, including AN, is increasingly evident. We aimed to explore immune response parameters in patients with AN and identify the link between the presence of specific autoantibodies for hypothalamic antigens and the inflammatory response. The relationship between inflammatory markers and the duration of the disease has been also investigated.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with AN were included, and none were under psychopharmacological treatment or suffering from autoimmune conditions. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and IL-21 were determined by ELISA kits. In addition, autoantibodies against hypothalamic antigens are quantitatively evaluated.

Results: IL-6, IL-1 β, TNF-α, and TGF-β are significantly increased in patients with AN. A positive correlation with body mass index and with the amount of autoantibody specific for hypothalamic antigens exists. Notably, a progressive reduction of cytokines correlates with the progression of AN. In addition, IL-21 is increased in the blood of patients with AN and negatively correlates with autoantibody concentrations.

Conclusions: This study shows that the increased pro-inflammatory phenotype in patients affected by AN correlates with the concentration of autoantibody specific for hypothalamic antigens. Of interest, the pro-inflammatory state seems to be reduced with duration of AN. In addition, IL-21 could work as a stimulant of the immune response, thus possibly increasing the autoreactivity.

Citing Articles

Autoantibodies, Oxidative Stress, and Nutritional State in Anorexia Nervosa.

Amerio A, Martino E, Strangio A, Aguglia A, Escelsior A, Conio B Antibodies (Basel). 2025; 14(1.

PMID: 39846609 PMC: 11755468. DOI: 10.3390/antib14010001.

The Association between Blood SIRT1 and Ghrelin, Leptin, and Antibody Anti-Hypothalamus: A Comparison in Normal Weight and Anorexia Nervosa.

Amerio A, Escelsior A, Martino E, Strangio A, Aguglia A, Marcatili M J Pers Med. 2023; 13(6).

PMID: 37373917 PMC: 10303472. DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060928.

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