Cytokine production in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
We previously reported elevated serum levels of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). We investigated the cellular production of these two cytokines and of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in subjects with AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and obesity as well as in normal-weight control subjects.


METHODS
Supernatant fluids from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) incubated with and without concanavalin A (ConA) were assayed for cytokine concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Significant differences across the four groups were found in the stimulated cellular production of IFN-gamma and IL-6. Stimulated IFN-gamma production was elevated in the AN group compared to controls. IL-6 production was significantly elevated in obese subjects relative to the two normal-weight groups, BN and controls, and tended to be higher in the AN group than in the controls, but not significantly so. IL-1alpha production was greater in obese subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of increased IFN-gamma production and a tendency toward increased IL-6 production (both of which suppress food intake in animals) in individuals who severely restrict food intake suggest a potential role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of AN. Elevated IL-6 and IL-1alpha production by PBMC in obese individuals requires further investigation to determine if these cytokines contribute to the development or perpetuation of obesity.
Raymond
N C
NC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Dysken
M
M
Bettin
K
K
Eckert
E D
ED
Crow
S J
SJ
Markus
K
K
Pomeroy
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000276:immunology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma