The ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN-1 AND INTERLEUKIN-15 IN AGGRAVATING THE EFFECTS OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA IN LOW BMI YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Objectives: This study exploring

1. To estimate the levels of IL-1 and IL-15 in the young adults suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) with low BMI.
   2. To evaluate and compare the levels of IL-1 and IL-15 with same age and same BMI group without AN.

Methods:  The study design was a descriptive-analytic, conducted over a year i.e from March 2023 to April 2024 at RMI and HMC Medical and Psychiatry OPDs. We enrolled 50 young adults (both males and females) diagnosed with AN and compared them to 50 healthy controls matched by age and BMI. This study assessed levels of IL-1 and IL-15 in young adults (ages 15-30 years) with AN.

Result: Elevated levels of IL-1 and IL-15 were observed in AN patients compared to controls, suggesting these cytokines may disrupt hypothalamic function and neurotransmitter balance, contributing to the anorexic behaviors observed in these patients.  IL-1 and IL-15 were also found to have a bidirectional relationship with stress, aggravating AN symptoms. Our findings suggest that targeting these cytokines could provide new therapeutic strategies.

Conclusion: IL-1 and IL-15 play a significant role in the biological mechanisms underlying AN, influencing appetite, mood, and cognitive function. Incorporating biological treatments into current therapeutic approaches could improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on the immune system’s role in AN to develop novel treatment interventions.