Reduced amylin levels are associated with low bone mineral density in women with anorexia nervosa.
BACKGROUND
Anorexia nervosa, characterized by extreme low body weight due to reduced nutrient intake, is associated with severe bone loss. Peptide hormones, including amylin, GIP, and GLP2, are released immediately after nutrient intake and may be involved in the regulation of bone turnover.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate fasting levels of amylin, GIP, and GLP2 and their relationships with bone mineral density (BMD) in women with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Clinical Research Center.


METHODS
15 women with anorexia nervosa and 16 healthy controls.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Fasting serum amylin, GIP, and GLP2, and BMD.


RESULTS
Women with anorexia nervosa had significantly lower fasting serum amylin and GIP levels than healthy controls. Fasting serum GLP2 levels were not significantly different between groups. Fasting amylin levels were positively associated with BMD and Z-score at the PA spine, total hip, and femoral neck. Fasting amylin levels were also positively associated with weight and percent fat; after controlling for these variables, amylin was still a significant predictor of BMD and Z-score at the femoral neck and of Z-score at the total hip. In the anorexia nervosa group, there was a trend toward an inverse association between amylin and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) levels (R=-0.47, p=0.08). GIP and GLP2 levels did not predict BMD at any site.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased secretion of amylin may be a mechanism through which reduced nutrient intake adversely affects BMD in anorexia nervosa.
Wojcik
Monica H
MH
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Meenaghan
Erinne
E
Lawson
Elizabeth A
EA
Misra
Madhusmita
M
Klibanski
Anne
A
Miller
Karen K
KK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000682:Amyloid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058228:Islet Amyloid Polypeptide; D055815:Young Adult
D000682:Amyloid; D015415:Biomarkers; D058228:Islet Amyloid Polypeptide