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Horm Metab Res 1982; 14(11): 619-620
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1019100
© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Reduced Level of Cellular Glucocorticoid Receptors in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

K. Kontula, L. C. Andersson, M. Huttunen, R. Pelkonen
  • Steroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Helsinki; Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki; Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, and Third Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Publication History

1982

1982

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

Specific glucocorticoid receptors were measured in circulating mononuclear leukocytes from 12 patients with anorexia nervosa and 21 healthy control subjects. Cells from patients were found to contain a significantly (p < 0.01) lower level of glucocorticoid receptor (3830 ± 210 sites/cell, mean ± SE) than those from controls (4930 ± 250 sites/cell). A partial glucocorticoid receptor defect may well explain the abnormal cortisol metabolism and glucocorticoid resistance commonly found in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Key-Words:

Glucocorticoid Receptors - [3H]Dexamethasone-Binding - Hypercortisolism in Anorexia Nervosa - Steroid Receptor Defect