Changes in cytokine production and impaired hematopoiesis in patients with anorexia nervosa: the effect of refeeding

Abstract The changes in cytokines and hormones involved in hematopoiesis were studied in the serum of 7 girls with anorexia nervosa, 15–24 yr old, on admission and after 5% and 10% weight gain. Hematopoiesis was studied by in-vitro culturing of circulating granulocyte–macrophage colony forming cells and erythroid burst forming cells. Nutritional status was studied by anthropometric measurements and resting energy expenditure. On admission, granulocyte–macrophage colony forming cells and erythroid burst forming cells were significantly lower than in age-matched controls and increased significantly along weight gain. Blood leptin and erythropoietin levels increased significantly with weight gain. TNF-α levels tended to decrease while IL-1β levels were lower than in the controls on admission ( p