The Association between Blood SIRT1 and Ghrelin, Leptin, and Antibody Anti-Hypothalamus: A Comparison in Normal Weight and Anorexia Nervosa

Autoantibodies, Oxidative Stress, and Nutritional State in Anorexia Nervosa

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight, leading to severe calorie restriction and weight loss. Beyond its psychiatric challenges, AN has significant physical consequences affecting multiple organ systems. Recent research has increasingly focused on the interplay between autoantibodies, oxidative stress, and nutritional state in this condition. Methods: Ninety-six subjects were evaluated: forty-eight with AN and forty-eight normal-weight control subjects. The serum levels of IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens, uric acid, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated by laboratory assays. Results: Anti-hypothalamic autoantibodies were found in AN patients. Furthermore, increased levels of oxidative stress were reported, as measured by decreased serum uric acid and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and they reduced with the disease duration and the restoration of body mass index (BMI). Finally, a decrease in both autoantibodies and oxidative stress was observed as patients' clinical condition improved, as measured by time since diagnosis and BMI recovery. Conclusions: The clinical improvement of AN patients seems to be associated with a decrease in the autoimmune response to hypothalamic cellular antigens and a reduction in oxidative stress. Dysregulation of the immune system and oxidative stress appear to be interconnected in various diseases, including autoimmune and psychiatric disorders. These findings, although preliminary, may offer potential avenues for the treatment of this challenging condition.

Sirtuin 1 serum concentration in healthy children - dependence on sex, age, stage of puberty, body weight and diet

Introduction

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is known to be involved in sensing cellular energy levels and regulating energy metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate fasting serum SIRT1 levels in healthy children, and to analyse the influence of age, sex, puberty, body weight, height, and diet on its concentration.

Methods

47 healthy children aged 4-14 with weight and height within normal range and no chronic disease were included into the study. Fasting serum SIRT1 concentrations were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results

Results showed that serum SIRT1 concentrations in healthy children did not differ with respect to sex, age, height, weight and puberty. Whereas, it appeared that a higher frequency of fruits, vegetables and dairy products consumption was associated with an increase in serum SIRT1 levels.

Discussion

Studying SIRT1 in the context of children's health may have implications for a broader understanding of growth processes, pubertal development, metabolic disorders and nutrition.