Serotonin-induced decrease of intracellular Ca(2+) release in platelets of bulimic patients normalizes during treatment.
Numerous symptoms related to eating disorders have been shown to be influenced by serotonergic (5-HT) functioning, with the 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype being one of the most relevant involved in the pathophysiology of bulimia nervosa (BN). In line with this, Ca(2+) mobilization as mediated by 5-HT(2) receptors in platelets was shown to serve as a peripheral model for central nervous 5-HT functioning. Here, the 5-HT-induced intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in platelets was measured in 13 female normal weight bulimic patients (14-18 years) upon admission and at the end of inpatient treatment. Findings were compared to 21 age-matched healthy female adolescents. 5-HT-induced Ca(2+) release was significantly decreased in bulimic patients upon admission and normalized during inpatient treatment. Antidepressive medication caused a significant improvement. The data provide further evidence that altered 5-HT(2) receptor functioning is involved in the pathophysiological underpinnings in BN.
Wöckel
Lars
L
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Neuenhofer Weg 21, 52074, Aachen, Germany. lwoeckel@ukaachen.de
Zepf
Florian Daniel
FD
Koch
Sabrina
S
Meyer-Keitel
Anikó-Eva
AE
Schmidt
Martin H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000473:pathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D002118:Calcium