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Immunological findings in anorexia and bulimia nervosa
Author(s) -
Pirke KarlMartin,
Nerl Christoph,
Krieg JurgenChristian,
Fichter Manfred M.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199203)11:2<185::aid-eat2260110209>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , anorectic , cd8 , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , cytotoxic t cell , anorexia , endocrinology , medicine , monoclonal antibody , immunology , psychoneuroimmunology , glucocorticoid , bulimia nervosa , psychology , antigen , eating disorders , antibody , biology , psychiatry , body weight , immune system , in vitro , biochemistry
Cytofluorometric studies, using monoclonal antibodies directed against surface antigens of mononuclear blood cells, were conducted in 10 patients with anorexia nervosa, 12 patients with bulimia nervosa, and in 9 healthy, age matched controls. While total leukocytes were not different between groups, the number of lymphocytes was significantly reduced in anorectic but not in bulimic patients. The number of T‐ but not of B‐lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages was diminished. All T‐cell populations (helper/inducer = CD4); suppressor/cytotoxic = CD8) and CD57 positive natural killer (NK) cells were reduced in anorexia nervosa. This effect is probably caused by increased glucocorticoid secretion.