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Ghrelin: central and peripheral implications in anorexia nervosa.
Mathieu Méquinion1, Fanny Langlet, Sara Zgheib
1UMR INSERM 837, Development and Plasticity of Postnatal Brain Lille, France.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|April 4, 2013
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) involves neurobiological adaptations, including altered ghrelin signaling, which paradoxically increases despite food restriction. This review explores ghrelin's role in AN's complex behaviors and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Endocrinology
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder with significant health impacts, characterized by chronic food restriction and weight loss.
- AN affects young women primarily and is linked to metabolic disturbances, bone density loss, and infertility.
- Neurobiological perspectives suggest AN behaviors are adaptations to low energy availability, involving central and peripheral changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of ghrelin in anorexia nervosa (AN), focusing on its central and peripheral actions.
- To examine the paradoxical increase in plasma ghrelin levels in AN patients despite suppressed food intake.
- To discuss how ghrelin signaling alterations contribute to AN-associated behaviors like hyperactivity and addiction.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ghrelin's function in AN.
- Analysis of hormonal changes in AN patients and animal models.
- Discussion of neurobiological mechanisms underlying AN and ghrelin's involvement.
Main Results:
- Chronic food restriction in AN patients and models alters ghrelin signaling.
- Increased plasma ghrelin levels in AN appear to be an adaptation, not a cause, of the disease.
- Ghrelin signaling alterations may contribute to hyperactivity and addiction to starvation in AN.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin plays a significant role in the neurobiology of AN, influencing behavior and energy balance.
- Understanding central vs. peripheral ghrelin actions is crucial for developing effective AN treatments.
- Potential therapeutic strategies may target ghrelin insensitivity or metabolic reprogramming in AN.
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