Reduced alternative complement pathway control protein levels in anorexia nervosa: response to parenteral alimentation

Abstract

Serum levels of 16 proteins, including 11 component and control proteins of the complement system were determined before and after nutritional repletion in five female patients with severe malnutrition secondary to anorexia nervosa. Before parenteral alimentation significantly decreased serum levels were found for IgG, IgM, transferrin, Clq, C2, C3, factor B, beta lH, C3b inactivator, properdin, and C4 binding protein. A significant increase in posttreatment serum levels compared with pretreatment levels were found for transferrin, C3, factor B, beta lH, and C3b inactivator. Of the proteins measured, the C3b amplification loop control and component proteins, beta lH, C3b inactivator, C3, and factor B rose to the normal range in response to therapy most rapidly. In the absence of an acute phase reaction, these proteins appear to be particularly good indices of malnutrition and its response to therapy.

Complement C3 serum levels in anorexia nervosa: a potential biomarker for the severity of disease?

“…published a series of five anorexia nervosa patients and observed significantly decreased serum levels of C1q, C2, C3, factor B, β leutenizing hormone (β-LH), C3b inactivator, properdin, and C4 binding protein [22]. After initiation of alimentation, β-LH, C3b inactivator, C3, and factor B rapidly returned to the normal range in response to therapy [22]. In line with these findings, Sigal and colleagues found low serum levels of complement proteins in anorexia nervosa patients [23].…”

Risk of infection and immune function in anorexia nervosa

“…The complement levels normalized when the patient returned to his baseline weight and no further infections were reported. Five other patients with anorexia nervosa had decreased serum levels of Clq, C2, C3, factor B, PlH, C3b inactivator, properdin, and C4 binding protein (Wyatt et al, 1982). Parenteral alimentation resulted in significant increases in most of these components.…”

“…Opsonization was reported to be normal in three anorectic patients (Gotch et al, 1975). Conversely, others have described decreased levels of IgG and IgM in anorectic patients (Wyatt et al, 1982). Armstrong-Esther et al (1978) compared the antibody response of anorectics and control subjects to influenza vaccine.…”

Evolution of serum biochemical indicators in anorexia nervosa patients: a 1‐year follow‐up study

“…, 1988; Varela et al. , 1992) or studies comparing a group of AN patients before and after nutritional rehabilitation (Wyatt et al. , 1982; Barbe et al.…”