| Title: | IGF-1 and recovery in anorexia nervosa: evidence from population-based and clinical cohorts |
| Journal: | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Published: | 24 May 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42177039/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgag211 |
Publication 19924
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Abstract
CONTEXT: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with severe metabolic and endocrine alterations, including growth hormone (GH) resistance and reduced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The longitudinal behavior of IGF-1 during treatment remains incompletely characterized.</p>
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate IGF-1 levels in current and weight restored AN, determine metabolic correlates, and examine longitudinal changes during clinical treatment.</p>
DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis in a population-based cohort and longitudinal analysis in a clinical cohort.</p>
SETTING: UK Biobank (UKB) and a specialist eating disorder clinic.</p>
PARTICIPANTS: (i) UKB: 129 adult women with current AN, 2,380 weight restored AN, and 2,380 healthy controls (HC) matched for age, sex, and BMI. (ii) Clinical cohort: 189 adult women with AN assessed at baseline and 12-month follow-up.</p>
MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Plasma IGF-1 levels; secondary metabolic and reproductive hormones including GH, insulin, glucose, FT3, and gonadal hormones.</p>
RESULTS: Across the UKB groups, IGF-1 levels showed a graded pattern: lowest in current AN, medium in weight restored AN, and highest in HC. In the clinical cohort, IGF-1 correlated positively with insulin, glucose, and FT3, and negatively with GH, consistent with GH resistance. IGF-1 levels increased significantly over 12 months of treatment (p = 0.003), with higher BMI at baseline predicting greater increases. Higher IGF-1 levels were associated with greater likelihood of menstrual function independent of BMI (p < 0.001).</p>
CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 appears reduced in current AN and may only partly normalize with weight restoration. IGF-1 may reflect metabolic state and reproductive function, suggesting value as an indicator of severity and treatment response.</p>
12 Authors
- Cristiano Dani
- Livio Tarchi
- Lorenzo Bonacchi
- Sara Haydar
- Emanuele Cassioli
- Eleonora Rossi
- Alessandra Fanelli
- Francesco De Logu
- Romina Nassini
- Nadia Micali
- Valdo Ricca
- Giovanni Castellini
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 501518 | Untangling the role of Schwann cells in chronic pain |
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