Increased fasting plasma ghrelin levels in patients with bulimia nervosa

Objective: Fasting plasma ghrelin levels play an important role in the pathophysiology of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa (BN) also has been associated with abnormal neuroendocrine regulation. Thus, we examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with BN for the first time. Methods: The subjects included 15 female BN patients and 11 female healthy volunteers (controls). Fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects. Results: The plasma ghrelin concentrations in all subjects demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with BMI. Mean plasma ghrelin level in BN patients was significantly higher than that in the controls, though mean BMIs between the groups were not significantly different. Conclusion: These findings suggest that not only BMI but also abnormal eating behaviors with habitual binge eating and purging may have some influence on circulating ghrelin level in BN.