Psycho-neuro-immunological aspects of eating disorders

Immunological dysfunction in subjects with bulimia nervosa (BN) might be due to not only chaotic eating behavior, but also psychological state such as depression and anxiety. In addition, leptin, and adiponectin might influence the chaotic eating behaviors.MethodSubjects included 20 (16 for leptin, and adiponectin) females with BN and 14 control females. Leptin, adiponectin, cytokines [interleukin(IL)-1 receptor antagonist, IL-2 soluble receptor α, IL-6 soluble receptor, and Tumor Necrosis Factor soluble receptor II], lymphocyte subsets (CD4 and CD8), and lymphocyte proliferative responses were measured.ResultsThere were no differences in plasma cytokine levels or lymphocyte subsets between BN subjects and controls. Conversely, lymphocyte proliferative responses and leptin levels were significantly lower in BN subjects than controls. Adiponectin levels also tended to be lower in BN subjects. Lymphocyte proliferative responses and the adiponectin levels correlated negatively with anxiety.ConclusionAnxiety was significantly linked with lymphocyte proliferative responses and adiponectin levels in BN subjects, although how remains unresolved.