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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 356-358 PubMed PMID: 11600878 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Anorexia Nervosa:blood, Body Mass Index, Bulimia:blood, Female, Galanin:blood, Humans, Leptin:blood, Neuropeptide Y:blood, Reference Values,.   

OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) play a role in the control of appetite and in the regulation of hormonal secretion.

METHODS: Plasma leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin concentrations were estimated in 13 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) 19 women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 19 healthy women of the control group (CG).

RESULTS: Plasma leptin concentration in BN was significantly higher than that in AN and it was lower as compared with the control group, despite the same BMI (body mass index) in both the groups. Plasma leptin level in AN was significantly lower as compared with the controls. Plasma galanin concentrations in AN and BN did not differ significantly from the control group. Plasma NPY concentration in AN was lower than that in the control group. However, plasma NPY level in BN was significantly higher as compared with AN and with the control group (CG). The observed increase of NPY in BN was independent of BMI because BMI in bulimia nervosa was normal.

CONCLUSIONS: The data may suggest that other factors than body weight changes may be involved in the modulation of leptin and NPY release in BN. The pathological behaviour of patients with bulimia nervosa may result from disturbed NPY release which is the strongest orexigenic factor....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 349-355 PubMed PMID: 11600877 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Appetite Regulation:drug effects, Energy Metabolism:drug effects, Estradiol:blood, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Galanin:blood, Hormones:blood, Leptin:analysis, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Neuropeptide Y:blood, Neuropeptides:blood, P.   

OBJECTIVES: Some hormonal disturbances were demonstrated in starvation. Leptin, NPY and galanin play an important role in the control of appetite and in the mechanism of hormone release.

METHODS: In order to evaluate the effect of starvation on the relationship between leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) galanin and pituitary and gonadal hormones release, plasma leptin, NPY and galanin as well as serum LH, FSH, prolactin (PRL), estradiol, progesterone levels in non-starved female rats (in diestrus) and after 72 hrs of starvation were measured with RIA methods. Effects of leptin, NPY and galanin administration on pituitary and gonadal hormones were investigated in vivo and in vitro experiments.

RESULTS: Plasma leptin, NPY and galanin as well as serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations were significantly lower in starved rats as compared with non-starved rats. However serum prolactin level was significantly higher in starved rats. Opposite effects after leptin and NPY administration on hormone release in vivo and in vitro experiments were observed in non-starved rats. However, in starved rats we did not find changes in pituitary and gonadal hormones release after leptin, NPY and galanin injection or the hormonal response was blunted.

CONCLUSIONS: 1) The disturbances in neuropeptides activity and in hormones release were observed in starvation. 2) Leptin, NPY and galanin have direct and indirect effects on pituitary and gonadal hormones release. 3) In starvation the hormonal response to leptin, NPY and galanin is impaired....

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