scholarly journals The Gut Microbiome in Anorexia Nervosa: Friend or Foe?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Ghenciulescu ◽  
Rebecca J. Park ◽  
Philip W. J. Burnet

The human gut microbiome is emerging as a key modulator of homeostasis, with far-reaching implications for various multifactorial diseases, including anorexia nervosa (AN). Despite significant morbidity and mortality, the underlying mechanisms of this eating disorder are poorly understood, but the classical view defining AN as a purely psychiatric condition is increasingly being challenged. Accumulating evidence from comparative studies of AN and healthy fecal microbial composition reveals considerable low divergence and altered taxonomic abundance of the AN gut microbiome. When integrated with preclinical data, these findings point to a significant role of the gut microbiome in AN pathophysiology, via effects on host energy metabolism, intestinal permeability, immune function, appetite, and behavior. While complex causal relationships between genetic risk factors, dietary patterns and microbiome, and their relevance for AN onset and perpetuation have not been fully elucidated, preliminary clinical studies support the use of microbiome-based interventions such as fecal microbiota transplants and probiotics as adjuvants to standard AN therapies. Future research should aim to move from observational to mechanistic, as dissecting how specific microbial taxa interact with the host to impact the development of AN could help design novel therapeutic approaches that more effectively address the severe comorbidities and high relapse rate of this serious disorder.

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1553-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Joscelyn ◽  
Lloyd H Kasper

The fields of microbiology, immunology, neurology and nutrition are rapidly converging, as advanced sequencing and genomics-based methodologies have enabled the mapping out of the microbial diversity of humans for the first time. Bugs, guts, brains and behavior were once believed to be separate domains of clinical practice and research; however, recent observations in our understanding of the microbiome indicate that the boundaries between domains are becoming permeable. This permeability is multidirectional: Biological systems are operating simultaneously in a vastly complex and interconnected web. Understanding the microbiome-gut-brain axis will entail fleshing out the mechanisms by which transduction across each domain occurs, allowing us ultimately to appreciate the role of commensal organisms in shaping and modulating host immunity. This article will highlight animal and human research to date, as well as highlight directions for future research. We speculate that the gut microbiome is potentially the premier environmental risk factor mediating inflammatory central nervous system demyelination, in particular multiple sclerosis.


Author(s):  
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff ◽  
Denise E. Wilfley

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a focused, time-limited treatment that targets interpersonal problem(s) associated with the onset and/or maintenance of EDs. IPT is supported by substantial empirical evidence documenting the role of interpersonal factors in the onset and maintenance of EDs. IPT is a viable alternative to cognitive behavior therapy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The effectiveness of IPT for the treatment of anorexia nervosa requires further investigation. The utility of IPT for the prevention of obesity is currently being explored. Future research directions include enhancing the delivery of IPT for EDs, increasing the availability of IPT in routine clinical care settings, exploring IPT adolescent and parent–child adaptations, and developing IPT for the prevention of eating and weight-related problems that may promote full-syndrome EDs or obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyi Yao ◽  
Fenglin Li ◽  
Jiansong Huang ◽  
Jie Jin ◽  
Huafeng Wang

AbstractDespite the advances in intensive chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapies, overall survival (OS) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unfavorable due to inevitable chemotherapy resistance and high relapse rate, which mainly caused by the persistence existence of leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Bone marrow microenvironment (BMM), the home of hematopoiesis, has been considered to play a crucial role in both hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. When interrupted by the AML cells, a malignant BMM formed and thus provided a refuge for LSCs and protecting them from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. In this review, we summarized the alterations in the bidirectional interplay between hematopoietic cells and BMM in the normal/AML hematopoietic environment, and pointed out the key role of these alterations in pathogenesis and chemotherapy resistance of AML. Finally, we focused on the current potential BMM-targeted strategies together with future prospects and challenges. Accordingly, while further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms behind LSC–BMM interaction, targeting the interaction is perceived as a potential therapeutic strategy to eradicate LSCs and ultimately improve the outcome of AML.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 283-291
Author(s):  
Agata Janczy ◽  
Magdalena Landowska ◽  
Zdzisław Kochan

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is described as an eating disorder, which is characterized by malnutrition, a fear of gaining body mass, and a disturbed self-body image. This disease is dependent on biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors. Among the various biological factors, the importance of intestinal microbiota has recently attracted much attention. Identification of the gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with AN has opened new and promising research directions. Recent observations focus in particular on the association between intestinal microorganisms and the occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders associated with anorexia, anxiety and depression, as well as the regulation of eating habits. The composition of the gut microbiota differs between patients with AN and individuals with normal body mass. This is due to the incorrect diet of patients; on the other hand, there is growing interest in the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of AN, its changes through re-nutrition practices, and in particular the modulation of intestinal microbiological composition by means of nutritional interventions or the use of preand probiotics as standard supplements therapy of eating disorders. There is a need for further research about the microbiome - intestine - brain axis. Furthermore, consequences of changes in dietary habits as part of AN treatment are also unknown. However, better knowledge about the relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain can help improve the treatment of this disorder. This review aims to present the current knowledge about the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis, course and treatment of AN.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangyue Li ◽  
Georgios Kararigas

There has been a recent, unprecedented interest in the role of gut microbiota in host health and disease. Technological advances have dramatically expanded our knowledge of the gut microbiome. Increasing evidence has indicated a strong link between gut microbiota and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the present article, we discuss the contribution of gut microbiota in the development and progression of CVD. We further discuss how the gut microbiome may differ between the sexes and how it may be influenced by sex hormones. We put forward that regulation of microbial composition and function by sex might lead to sex-biased disease susceptibility, thereby offering a mechanistic insight into sex differences in CVD. A better understanding of this could identify novel targets, ultimately contributing to the development of innovative preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for men and women.


Author(s):  
Pelin Kesebir ◽  
Tom Pyszczynski

The capacity for self-reflection, which plays an important role in human self-regulation, also leads people to become aware of the limitations of their existence. Awareness of the conflict between one's desires (e.g., to live) and the limitations of existence (e.g., the inevitability of death) creates the potential for existential anxiety. In this chapter, we review how this anxiety affects human motivation and behavior in a variety of life domains. Terror management theory and research suggest that transcending death and protecting oneself against existential anxiety are potent needs. This protection is provided by an anxiety-buffering system, which imbues people with a sense of meaning and value that function to shield them against these concerns. We review evidence of how the buffering system protects against existential anxiety in four dimensions of existence: the physical, personal, social, and spiritual domains. Because self-awareness is a prerequisite for existential anxiety, escaping self-awareness can also be an effective way to obviate the problem of existence. After elaborating on how existential anxiety can motivate escape from self-awareness, we conclude the chapter with a discussion of remaining issues and directions for future research and theory development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Gandy

We are in the midst of a psychedelic research renaissance. With research examining the efficacy of psychedelics as a treatment for a range of mental health indications still in its early stages, there is an increasing body of research to show that careful use of psychedelics can yield a variety of benefits in “healthy normals” and so lead to “the betterment of well people.” Psychedelics have been found to modulate neuroplasticity, and usage in a supportive setting can result in enduring increases in traits such as well-being, life satisfaction, life meaning, mindfulness, and a variety of measures associated with prosocial behaviors and healthy psychological functioning. The effect of psychedelic experience on measures of personality trait openness and is potential implications is examined, and the potential role of awe as a mediator of the benefits of the psychedelic experience is discussed. Special attention is given to the capacity of psychedelics to increase measures of nature relatedness in an enduring sense, which is being correlated with a broad range of measures of psychological well-being as well as a key predictor of pro-environmental awareness and behavior. The effects of particular classical psychedelic compounds on healthy people are discussed, with special attention given to the mystical-type experiences occasioned by high doses of psychedelics, which appear to be an important mediator of long-term benefits and psychotherapeutic gains. Research looking at the potential benefits of psychedelic microdosing is discussed. Potential future research avenues are explored, focusing on the potential development of psychedelics as agents of ecotherapy.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Luo Fan ◽  
Muhammad Anwar-Ul-Haq

The determinants of career success have been widely investigated in the extant literature.This paper aims to review the empirical studies on the role of political skill in determining careersuccess. Major data bases like science direct, emerald insight, sage and springer were searchedfor finding out the relevant studies. The findings of each empirical study along with the contextand brief methodological information have been given. Through this review, it was surfaced thatthe underlying mechanisms in the political skill-career success relationship need to be exploredfurther, and the dimensional analysis of political skill should be conducted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 292-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarrad Timothy Hampton-Marcell ◽  
Tifani W. Eshoo ◽  
Marc D. Cook ◽  
Jack A. Gilbert ◽  
Craig A. Horswill ◽  
...  

AbstractExercise can influence gut microbial community structure and diversity; however, the temporal dynamics of this association have rarely been explored. Here we characterized fecal microbiota in response to short term changes in training volume. Fecal samples, body composition, and training logs were collected from Division I NCAA collegiate swimmers during peak training through their in-season taper in 2016 (n=9) and 2017 (n=7), capturing a systematic reduction in training volume near the conclusion of their athletic season. Fecal microbiota were characterized using 16S rRNA V4 amplicon sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis, Spearman rank correlations, and random forest models. Peak training volume, measured as swimming distance, decreased significantly during the study period from 32.6±4.8 km/wk to 11.3±8.1 km/wk (ANOVA, p<0.05); however, body composition showed no significant changes. Coinciding with the decrease in training volume, the microbial community structure showed a significant decrease in overall microbial diversity, a decrease in microbial community structural similarity, and a decrease in the proportion of the bacterial genera Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus. Together these data demonstrate a significant association between short-term changes in training volume and microbial composition and structure in the gut; future research will establish whether these changes are associated with energy balance or nutrient intake.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (4) ◽  
pp. E814-E819
Author(s):  
Seth F. McCarthy ◽  
Hashim Islam ◽  
Tom J. Hazell

Lactate, a molecule originally considered metabolic waste, is now associated with a number of important physiological functions. Although the roles of lactate as a signaling molecule, fuel source, and gluconeogenic substrate have garnered significant attention in recent reviews, a relatively underexplored and emerging role of lactate is its control of energy intake (EI). To expand our understanding of the physiological roles of lactate, we present evidence from early infusion studies demonstrating the ability of lactate to suppress EI in both rodents and humans. We then discuss findings from recent human studies that have utilized exercise intensity and/or sodium bicarbonate supplementation to modulate endogenous lactate and examine its impact on appetite regulation. These studies consistently demonstrate that greater blood lactate accumulation is associated with greater suppression of the hunger hormone ghrelin and subjective appetite, thereby supporting a role of lactate in the control of EI. To stimulate future research investigating the role of lactate as an appetite-regulatory molecule, we also highlight potential underlying mechanisms explaining the appetite-suppressive effects of lactate using evidence from rodent and in vitro cellular models. Specifically, we discuss the ability of lactate to 1) inhibit the secretory function of ghrelin producing gastric cells, 2) modulate the signaling cascades that control hypothalamic neuropeptide expression/release, and 3) inhibit signaling through the ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus. Unravelling the role of lactate as an appetite-regulatory molecule can shed important insight into the regulation of EI, thereby contributing to the development of interventions aimed at combatting overweight and obesity.


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