Psychoimmunoendocrine investigation in anorexia nervosa

Immunological and neuroendocrine parameters were examined in 11 women with anorexia nervosa, 6 restricted and 5 bulimic-anorectics, 17-43 years old with 2-15 years duration of the disease, and in 11 age- and sex-matched psychophysically healthy controls. The T lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) levels was examined in basal conditions and after corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation. Cortisol inhibition by dexamethasone (DST), and basal growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) levels were also examined. The immune study did not reveal significant differences between patients and controls. ACTH and cortisol basal levels were significantly higher in anorectics, while beta-EP, GH and PRL concentrations did not differ in the two groups. ACTH, beta-EP and cortisol responses to CRH were blunted in anorectics and the DST impaired in 55% of the patients. No correlations were observed between neuroendocrine impairments and the T lymphocyte response to PHA, or between the immunological neuroendocrine parameters and the body mass index of either patients or controls.