Circulating interleukin 6 and soluble forms of its receptors in relation to resting energy expenditure in women with anorexia nervosa

Context Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder, resulting in sustained low weight and marked decrease in fat mass. Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) may play a role in appetite, energy expenditure and body weight control. IL‐6 acts through binding with membrane receptor (IL‐6R) and activates glycoprotein 130 (gp130) signalling. Both IL‐6R and gp130 are present in the blood in the soluble forms (sIL‐6R and sgp130 respectively). sIL‐6R sensitizes cells towards IL‐6, whereas sgp130 inhibits gp130 signalling. Objective To estimate circulating IL‐6/sIL‐6R/sgp130 system and its relationships with body weight and resting energy expenditure (REE) in AN women. Patients We examined 19 women with AN and 27 healthy normal‐weight female controls. Measurements Indirect calorimetry and the measurement of serum IL‐6, sIL‐6R and sgp130 concentrations were performed in all the subjects. Results REE was decreased in AN women (P