Appetite-related gut peptides, ghrelin, PYY, and GLP-1 in obese women with and without binge eating disorder (BED)

BED is characterized by overeating with a loss of control. The primary aim of the study was to measure plasma concentrations of three key gut peptides influencing hunger (ghrelin) and satiety (PYY, GLP-1) to ascertain potential abnormalities in BED. The participants were 10 obese BED and 9 obese nonBED premenopausal women. They did not differ in age, 30.1 ± 8.1 SD, BMI, 36.2 ± 5.9, or % body fat, 43.3 ± 5.7. Following a13-h overnight fast, blood was drawn (− 15, 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) for measurement of total plasma concentrations of ghrelin, PYY and GLP-1, pre and post ingestion of a nutritionally complete liquid meal (1256 kJ) at 9 am (0–5 min). Ratings of hunger and fullness preceded each blood draw. Ghrelin was significantly lower premeal at − 15 min (P = .05) and postmeal at 90 min (P = .027) and 120 min (P = .025) in the BED group as compared to the nonBED group. Ghrelin also declined less postprandially in the BED group (P = .019) with a longer time to the nadir value (P = .004). However, fasting and meal-related changes in levels of PYY and GLP-1 did not differ between the groups nor did ratings of hunger and fullness. Following a randomized cognitive behavior and dietary intervention, the ghrelin values in BED normalized. Prior to treatment, the lower fasting ghrelin in BED may be a consequence of down regulation by overeating. The lack of differences in the satiety promoting hormones, PYY and GLP-1, makes them unlikely contributors to the binge eating in BED.