A systematic review of in vitro cytokine production in eating disorders

Abstract

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The Neurobiology of Eating Disorders

“…Cytokines, markers of inflammatory processes, have been found altered, and meta-analyses indicate a pattern of elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha in AN, whereas the data on other cytokines are somewhat mixed, with no alterations in BN. 13,14 Whether those markers are relevant for ED illness development, maintenance or recovery remains elusive. Cytokines are elevated in obesity, but no data exist for BED or ARFID.…”

Role of Neuroendocrine, Immune, and Autonomic Nervous System in Anorexia Nervosa-Linked Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Importantly, functioning of the immune system is controlled by the neuroendocrine system. In this context, the above mentioned AN-linked hormonal imbalances may result in uncontrolled immune system changes (e.g., altered cytokines production) and, vice versa, released cytokines can influence neuroendocrine functioning via their direct action on the brain [ 42 , 43 ]. Potential contributors to the dysregulated immune system (proinflammatory state) in AN include increased oxidative stress, a stress-related chronically activated HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system, and changes in the intestinal microbiota, all of which are present in anorexia nervosa [ 44 ].…”

“…These messenger molecules include chemokines, interferons (IFN), interleukins (IL), lymphokines, and tumour necrosis factors (TNF). Cytokines as intercellular signalling molecules with particular importance in the immune system are supposed to play a mediatory role in the complex neuroendocrine–immune relationship [ 43 ]. From a psychoimmunological aspect, the cytokines are divided according to their immunological function into four categories [ 45 ]: T H 1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ) promoting the T H 1 branch of the immune system and leading to cytotoxic cell contacts, T H 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) stimulating the T H 2 branch and induction of antibodies production, The proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IFN-α, TNF-α) that promote inflammation, The anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-ß) that are influenced by regulatory T cells, preventing inflammatory processes.…”

“…Recent meta-analysis has shown that AN is associated with elevated levels of certain proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 [ 43 ]. In addition, elevated IL-6 serum concentrations in AN normalize during the twelve weeks of specialised AN treatment [ 46 ].…”

“…From a psychophysiological perspective, cytokines have been implicated in emotional/cognitive regulation. Specifically, cytokines produced in the body’s periphery can access the brain via humoral, neural and cellular pathways, influencing the mental state through the modulation of neurotransmitters metabolism and signal transduction, modulation of the HPA axis, induction of appetite-regulating hormones release, and impact on neural plasticity and neurogenesis [ 42 , 43 ]. Moreover, a proinflammatory state in the periphery may lead to chronic neuroinflammation.…”