Is there a protein responsible for anorexia and bulimia?
updated the 14 July 2015 à 18:33According to recent studies, a protein produced by intestinal bacteria could be the root cause of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating (also known as hyperphagia).
It is estimated that 15 to 20 % of the population are affected by eating disorders. Some of these disorders are quite well documented. Among the most well-known and often the most serious, of these eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. In spite of various genetic, psychiatric and biological studies, the mystery of the origins of these disorders is unresolved. According to new research, a protein produced by intestinal bacteria could be involved.
A PROTEIN WOULD DISRUPT THE FEELING OF SATIETY
This protein named CIpB, would be the double of the satiety hormone. Created by bacteria existing in the intestinal flora (some Escherichia coli for example), it causes the production of anti-cores which interfere with the satiety hormone. As a result: the satiety hormone can’t do its job properly. Either it works too much (anorexia), or it makes the satiety feeling disappear (bulimia). According to researchers, the protein CIpB would also have inherent effects of anorexia. The researchers were able to test their hypothesis on 60 people, and actually noticed that those who have a high level of CIpB anti-cores also have the most severe eating disorders.
WILL THERE BE A TREATMENT FOR ANOREXIA, BULIMIA AND BINGE EATING SOON?
For the authors of this study, this discovery could enable us to treat these diseases. According to the first observations, they explain that it would be possible to neutralize this bacterial protein with specific anti-cores without affecting the satiety hormone. This will be an interesting discovery to follow in the future.
Maureen Diament
