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Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41(1): 10-16
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-992145
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serotonin-Induced Platelet Intracellular Ca2+ Response in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

L. Wöckel 1 , 2 , S. Koch 3 , C. Stadler 1 , A.-E. Meyer-Keitel 2 , M. H. Schmidt 2
  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
  • 2Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
  • 3Department of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 09.02.2007 revised 17.07.2007

accepted 23.07.2007

Publication Date:
18 January 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the regulation of food intake. In anorexia nervosa there is a disturbance in 5-HT function. The stimulation of 5-HT2-receptors in platelets is a useful peripheral model to investigate the cascade of signal transduction and neuronal functioning.

Methods: 25 anorexic female patients between the ages of 11 and 18 years with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 13.9±1.3 kg/m2 participated in this study. The 21 healthy female controls revealed a mean BMI of 20.5±2.7 kg/m2. 5-HT stimulated intracellular Ca2+ response of the platelets was obtained using the Fura-2 method at the time of admission, during therapy and when the target BMI was reached.

Results: We found a significant (p<0.01) decrease in 5-HT-induced Δ[Ca2+]i at admission and a significant (p<0.05) increase of Δ[Ca2+]i during treatment in patients with anorexia nervosa. Anorexic patients with and without comorbid depression had a comparable Ca2+ release. However, low and high Ca2+ responders showed a different course of Δ[Ca2+]i. The treatment with antidepressants led to a significant increase of Δ[Ca2+]i in those patients with concomitant depression.

Discussion: Since the course of Δ[Ca2+]i is not related to BMI or the presence of comorbid depression, we conclude that serotonergic transmission or signaling pathways could be disturbed in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. One inference of this preliminary study is that administration of antidepressants may be more effective in patients with concomitant depression.

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Correspondence

L. WöckelMD 

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Hospital

Deutschordenstr. 50

60528 Frankfurt/Main

Germany

Phone: +49/69/6301 834 58

Fax: +49/69/6301 58 43

Email: woeckel@em.uni-frankfurt.de

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