sincalide and Anorexia-Nervosa

Baseline concentrations of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) were measured in T-lymphocytes from 33 restricting patients with anorexia nervosa (AN-R), 23 binging/purging patients with anorexia nervosa (AN-BP), and 24 healthy volunteers. CCK-8 basal values were significantly lower and beta-EP values significantly higher in AN-R and AN-BP patients than in normal volunteers. Levels of the peptides were measured three more times during a 4-month combined cognitive-behavioral/psychopharmacological treatment (nortriptyline or fluoxetine in AN-R, fluoxetine or amineptine in AN-BP). CCK-8 values fluctuated (nonsignificantly) during each treatment, while beta-EP values decreased (to a significant degree only in fluoxetine-treated AN-R patients).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Antidepressive Agents; beta-Endorphin; Child; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Female; Fluoxetine; Humans; Nortriptyline; Sincalide; T-Lymphocytes; Treatment Outcome

The T-lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemoagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was the same in 11 anorexic women, 6 restricted (AN-R) and 5 bulimic (AN-B), and in 11 sex- and age-matched controls, in basal conditions and after acute administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Basal plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol were higher in patients than in controls, while beta-endorphin (beta-EP), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) concentrations did not differ in the two groups. ACTH and beta-EP responses to CRH stimulation were blunted in patients, while those of cortisol did not differ in the two groups. ACTH, beta-EP and cortisol responses to the dexamethasone suppression test were impaired in 55% of the patients. Baseline T-lymphocyte concentrations of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and beta-EP were measured in another group of 56 anorexics, 33 restricted and 23 bulimic, and in 24 controls. CCK-8 values were significantly lower and beta-EP values significantly higher in patients than in controls.

Topics: Adolescent; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; beta-Endorphin; Bulimia; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Immune Tolerance; Lymphocyte Activation; Prolactin; Sincalide; T-Lymphocytes