Disrupted Oxytocin-Appetite Signaling in Females With Anorexia Nervosa.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

In healthy females, oxytocin levels decrease postmeal, corresponding to increased satiety. The postprandial response of oxytocin in females with anorexia nervosa (AN)/atypical AN is unknown.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the pattern of postprandial serum oxytocin levels in females with AN/atypical AN, relationship with appetite, and effect of weight, eating behavior, and endogenous estrogen status.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional.

SETTING:

Clinical research center.

PARTICIPANTS:

67 women (36 with AN [<85% expected body weight (EBW)]; 31 with atypical AN [≥ 85% EBW)]), age 22.4 ± 0.9 (mean ± SEM) years, categorized by weight, restricting vs binge/purge behavior, and estrogen status.

INTERVENTIONS:

Standardized mixed meal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:

Blood sampling for oxytocin occurred fasting and 30, 60, and 120 minutes postmeal. Subjective appetite was assessed using visual analog scales.

RESULTS:

In females with AN/atypical AN, oxytocin levels decreased from fasting to 60 (P = 0.002) and 120 (P = 0.005) minutes postmeal. The decrease in oxytocin from fasting to 120 minutes was greater in females with atypical AN than AN (P = 0.027) and did not differ by restricting vs binge/purge behavior or estrogen status. Controlling for caloric intake, the decrease in oxytocin was inversely related to the decrease in hunger postmeal in females with atypical AN (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS:

In females with AN/atypical AN, oxytocin levels decrease postmeal, as established in healthy females. Weight, but not restricting vs binge/purging nor endogenous estrogen status, affects postprandial oxytocin levels. The postprandial change in serum oxytocin levels is related to appetite in females with atypical AN only, suggesting a disconnect between oxytocin secretion and appetite in the undernourished state.

• Authors: Anna Aulinas, Franziska Plessow, Reitumetse L Pulumo, Elisa Asanza, Christopher J Mancuso, Meghan Slattery, Christiane Tolley, Jennifer J Thomas, Kamryn T Eddy, Karen K Miller, Anne Klibanski, Madhusmita Misra, Elizabeth A Lawson
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 104 Issue 10 Pg. 4931-4940 (10 01 2019) ISSN: 1945-7197 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 31251345 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Endocrine Society.

Chemical References

• Oxytocin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anorexia Nervosa (blood, physiopathology)
• Appetite (physiology)
• Appetite Regulation (physiology)
• Child
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Fasting (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Hunger (physiology)
• Middle Aged
• Oxytocin (blood)
• Postprandial Period (physiology)
• Satiation (physiology)
• Signal Transduction (physiology)
• Young Adult