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Autoantibodies common in anorexia patients
December 12, 2002A large proportion of anorexia and/or bulimia patients have antibodies against the body's own substances that are involved in the brain's control of eating behavior. The results indicate that there is a connection between eating disturbances and both the nervous system and the immune system.
The study was based on 57 women, between the ages of 17 and 42, with anorexia and/or bulimia. Of these, 74 percent had antibodies in their blood against endogenous bodily substances, above all a peptide called ?-MSH. In a corresponding control group the prevalence of these antibodies was only 16 percent.
Since ?-MSH is involved in the normal regulation of eating behavior and body weight, it is possible that the occurrence of antibodies plays a role in eating disturbances. Antibodies against two peptide hormones called ACTH and LHRH were also found. ACTH participates in the body's stress regulation, whereas LHRH plays a role in ovulation. Several of the substances that antibodies have been found against can bind serotonin. There is thus a possibility that these antibodies can block serotonin's binding sites. Increased amounts of free seotonin have previously been described in anorexia patients.
Further research is now under way to determine whether and how these findings are related to anorexia and bulimia, and possibly to stress.
Vetenskapsrådet (The Swedish Research Council)
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