Decreased platelet monoamine oxidase activity in female bulimia nervosa
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2000
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Elservier
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Carrasco JL, Díaz-Marsá M, Hollander E, César J, Saiz-Ruiz J. Decreased platelet monoamine oxidase activity in female bulimia nervosa. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2000 Mar;10(2):113-7. doi: 10.1016/s0924-977x(99)00061-9. PMID: 10706992.
Abstract
La participación de los sistemas de serotonina cerebral en la fisiopatología de los trastornos alimentarios se ha demostrado repetidamente en estudios recientes. La actividad de la MAO plaquetaria es un índice de la actividad de la serotonina cerebral y se ha encontrado que los niveles bajos de MAO plaquetaria están asociados con conductas impulsivas. Además, algunos informes preliminares indican que la MAO plaquetaria podría estar reducida en pacientes con trastornos alimentarios.
Métodos: Se estudiaron 47 pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria según el DSM-IV, incluidos 30 con bulimia nerviosa y 17 con anorexia nerviosa de tipo atracones-purgas. La actividad de la MAO plaquetaria se midió mediante métodos isotópicos utilizando C-14 bencilamina y se comparó con un grupo control de 30 sujetos sanos. Se estudiaron los rasgos de personalidad impulsiva con escalas de valoración específicas.
Resultados: La actividad de la MAO plaquetaria fue significativamente menor (4,4±2,4 nmol/h/10(8) plaquetas) en los pacientes bulímicos que en el grupo control (6,9±2,5) (p<0,001). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los bulímicos puros y los anoréxicos con atracones-purgas. La MAO plaquetaria se correlacionó de forma inversa y significativa con las puntuaciones en las escalas de impulsividad y con las características del trastorno límite de la personalidad.
Conclusiones: La actividad de la MAO plaquetaria está reducida en pacientes con bulimia, lo que puede reflejar una disfunción en los mecanismos de control de impulsos. Dado que la MAO plaquetaria tiene un componente genético predominante, es necesario realizar estudios sobre la asociación entre la MAO plaquetaria baja y un mayor riesgo de desarrollar trastornos alimentarios.
The involvement of brain serotonin systems in the pathophysiology of eating disorders has been repeatedly demonstrated in recent studies. Platelet MAO activity is an index of brain serotonin activity and lowered platelet MAO levels have been found in association with impulsive behaviors. In addition, some preliminary reports indicate that platelet MAO could be lowered in eating disorder patients. Methods: 47 patients with DSM-IV eating disorders were studied, including 30 with bulimia nervosa and 17 with anorexia nervosa binge eating-purging type. Platelet MAO activity was measured by isotopic methods using C-14 benzylamine and compared with a control group of 30 healthy subjects. Impulsive personality features were studied with specific rating scales. Results: Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower (4.4+/-2.4 nmol/h/10(8) platelets) in the bulimic patients than in the control group (6.9+/-2.5) (p<0.001). No significant differences were found between pure bulimics and binge eating-purging anorectics. Platelet MAO was inversely and significantly correlated with scores on impulsivity scales and with borderline personality disorder characteristics. Conclusions: Platelet MAO activity is lowered in patients with bulimia, which may reflect dysfunction in impulse control mechanisms. Since platelet MAO has a predominant genetic component, there is need for studies on the association of low platelet MAO and higher risk for developing eating disorders.
The involvement of brain serotonin systems in the pathophysiology of eating disorders has been repeatedly demonstrated in recent studies. Platelet MAO activity is an index of brain serotonin activity and lowered platelet MAO levels have been found in association with impulsive behaviors. In addition, some preliminary reports indicate that platelet MAO could be lowered in eating disorder patients. Methods: 47 patients with DSM-IV eating disorders were studied, including 30 with bulimia nervosa and 17 with anorexia nervosa binge eating-purging type. Platelet MAO activity was measured by isotopic methods using C-14 benzylamine and compared with a control group of 30 healthy subjects. Impulsive personality features were studied with specific rating scales. Results: Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower (4.4+/-2.4 nmol/h/10(8) platelets) in the bulimic patients than in the control group (6.9+/-2.5) (p<0.001). No significant differences were found between pure bulimics and binge eating-purging anorectics. Platelet MAO was inversely and significantly correlated with scores on impulsivity scales and with borderline personality disorder characteristics. Conclusions: Platelet MAO activity is lowered in patients with bulimia, which may reflect dysfunction in impulse control mechanisms. Since platelet MAO has a predominant genetic component, there is need for studies on the association of low platelet MAO and higher risk for developing eating disorders.