Supervisors info:
Κυρούδη Σοφία Καθηγήτρια ΕΚΠΑ (Επιβλέπουσα), Ανδρεάδου Ιωάννα Επίκ. Καθηγήτρια ΕΚΠΑ, Βαλσαμή Γεωργία Αναπλ. Καθηγήτρια ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Background: Kisspeptin is one of the most potent stimulators of GnRH secretion
and consequently gonadotropin release from anterior pituitary. Kisspeptin is
considered critical in regulating reproductive function in response to
metabolic cues. Reproductive function is gated by the energy reserves of the
individual. Conditions of energy insufficiency, such as Anorexia Nervosa (AN),
often disturb reproductive function and fertility. Aim: Our aim was to assess
circulating kisspeptin levels, correlations with gonadotropins and estradiol as
well as potential differences among anorectic patients and controls. Materials:
A total of 37 adolescent girls participated in the study: 17 AN patients (mean
age: 15.8±1.5 years, mean BMI: 15.7±1.0 kg/m2), 5 OSFED AN patients (mean age:
14.8±1.4 years, mean BMI: 18.7±2.7 kg/m2) and 15 controls (mean age: 14.5±1.7
years, mean BMI: 20.2±1.8 kg/m2). Methods: We studied serum levels of
kisspeptin, LH, FSH and estradiol in female adolescents diagnosed with AN, or
atypical AN from the «Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders» category
(OSFED AN), according to the «Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition» (DSM-5) criteria, as well as in age and sex matched
controls. Serum Kisspeptin concentrations were measured using a human
kisspeptin Elisa kit. Results: The mean kisspeptin levels were 249.2±136.7 ng/l
for the 17 anorectic patients, 450.9±185.2 ng/l for the OSFED AN patients and
308.7±194.1 ng/l for the control group. There were no statistically significant
differences in kisspeptin levels among the three groups studied. For all study
participants, statistically significant correlations were found between BMI and
LH (r=0.331, p=0.016), BMI and estradiol (r=0.414, p=0.003), LH and FSH
(r=0.533, p<0.001) and LH and estradiol (r=0.429, p=0.004), while no
statistically significant correlations were found between kisspeptin levels and
BMI, LH, FSH or estradiol. In the subgroup of our 17 anorectic patients, a
negative statistically significant correlation was found between kisspeptin
levels and BMI.Discussion: This is the first study concerning the circulating
kisspeptin levels in AN. In this context we found a trend toward reduced
circulating kisspeptin levels in adolescents suffering from this disorder but
also a negative correlation of these levels with BMI, which merits further
exploration. New evidence is emerging regarding the role of kisspeptin in
anorexia-derived amenorrhea, however further studies in larger groups and
evaluation of more parameters that may be involved in the function of the
peptide, are required in order to fully understand it.
Keywords:
Anorexia Nervosa, Kisspeptin, BMI, LH, FSH
