Levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 in Severely Ill Patients with Eating Disorders

Abstract

Background: The underlying pathophysiology of eating disorders (ED) is dependent on complex interactions between psychological, biological and social factors. The purpose of the present study was to examine a possible increase in cytokines indicating inflammation, as measured by tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in ED patients, and to explore possible relationships between cytokines and self-reported personality traits. Methods: Female patients with severe ED (n = 26) were recruited consecutively from an inpatient clinic and were compared to age-matched healthy females (n = 12). Commercial ELISA tests developed for the measurement of serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were employed. Personality traits were measured using Karolinska Scales of Personality. Results: The patient group displayed increased levels of the cytokine TNF-α and a tendency towards increased IL-6 levels. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to examine possible relationships between levels of cytokines and personality traits. The results showed that IL-6 levels were positively related to both somatic and psychic anxiety and to aggression scales, such as irritability and suspicion. Increased levels of TNF-α, in turn, were significantly correlated with high scores on the depression-related anxiety scale Inhibition of Aggression. However, increased levels of cytokines in the ED group did not seem to be mainly associated with symptoms of depression. Conclusion: We cannot rule out the possibility that comorbid conditions in the group contribute to the higher cytokine values. Further studies need to explore the possible influence of cytokines on the severity of ED and whether this might be mediated or moderated by specific personality traits.

A meta-analysis of cytokine concentrations in eating disorders

“…Study and sample characteristics are presented in Table 1. Two studies included multiple ED subgroups (Ahrén-Moonga et al, 2011;Brambilla et al, 1998). Twenty-three studies reported cross-sectional comparisons in cytokine concentration between participants with AN (n=538) and HCs, identifying four new studies not included in the previous meta-analysis (Solmi et al, 2015).…”

Exploration of depressive symptoms in African American cancer patients

“…It is possible that greater disease burdens trigger irritability that can induce depression through mediation of social isolation (Ahrén-Moonga et al, 2011). Bio-behavioral mechanisms of this pathway should be investigated (Wichers & Maes, 2002).…”

A systematic review of in vitro cytokine production in eating disorders

“…These findings are similar to that observed in two studies that measured cytokine concentrations in vivo (Brambilla et al, 1998;Monteleone et al, 1999). Although concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α have also been found to be elevated in people with BN, compared to HCs in two studies (Ahren-Moonga et al, 2011;Nakai et al, 2000). Binge eating behaviours (as assessed by a range of questionnaires) have also been shown to be significantly and positively associated with TNF-α concentrations in adolescents (Lofrano-Prado et al, 2011).…”