Circadian variations in plasma ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels in normal-weight bulimic women

In order to establish possible alterations in the secretory patterns of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and/or beta-endorphin in bulimia nervosa, the circadian fluctuations of these hormones were evaluated in blood samples taken at 1-hour intervals over 24 h. Eleven bulimic women with normal body weight and 8 weight- and age-matched normal controls were tested during the follicular phase (days 6-8) of normal menstrual cycles. All women were hospitalized for bulimia or for checkup examinations and were tested 3 days after hospital admission. Both normal and bulimic women showed maximal ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels at 08.00 h, with minimal ACTH and beta-endorphin levels at midnight and cortisol levels at 02.00 h. The general temporal structure of all hormonal secretions coincided in the two groups. However, whereas all measured ACTH/cortisol levels were quantitatively similar in the two groups, plasma beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly higher in bulimic than in control subjects at all examined time points. The enhancement in the overall 24-hour beta-endorphin secretion suggests the presence of an increased opioid tonus in bulimic women, which might play a role in the pathophysiology of the eating disorder.