[Serum kisspeptin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa]

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder characterized by extreme restriction of food intake and incorrect perception of patients' body, its weight and shape. Patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa apart from an eating disorder are characterized also by hypothalamic amenorrhea. Many neuropeptides and neurotransmitters play an important role in physiological regulation of gonadoliberin (GnRH) secretion.

The aim of the study is to assess the role of kisspeptin in the etiology of anorexia nervosa.

The study was classified as 55 women aged from 17 to 28 years old. Patients were classified into two groups: study group consisted of 15 patients diagnosed with AN and control group consisted of 40 healthy women. Examination of serum blood from patients was performed by ELISA-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of serum kisspeptin, FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, testosterone were analyzed in patients from study and control group.

The average body weight of patients with AN was 45.0±7.56 kg and was statistically significantly lower compared to women in the control group (61.1±7.20 kg) (p=0.0001). The average serum concentration of kisspeptin in patients with AN was 0.20±0.07 ng/ml, in women in the control group was 0.3±0.36 ng/ml (p=0.712). Serum LH concentrations in patients with AN was 2.5±1.71 mIU/ml and was statistically significantly lower compared to women in the control group (13.5±9.73 mIU/ml) (p=0.0001). The mean serum estradiol concentrations in patients with AN were 31.0±15.3 pg/ml and were statistically significantly lower compared to the control group (129.0±107.7 pg/ml) (p=0.0001).

There was not significant difference between serum kisspeptin levels in patients with AN and healthy women. Further research is needed on the role of kisspeptin in AN.