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Guo W, Xiong W. From gut microbiota to brain: implications on binge eating disorders. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2357177. [PMID: 38781112 PMCID: PMC11123470 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2357177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of eating disorders has been increasing over the last 50 years. Binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are two typical disabling, costly and life-threatening eating disorders that substantially compromise the physical well-being of individuals while undermining their psychological functioning. The distressing and recurrent episodes of binge eating are commonly observed in both BED and BN; however, they diverge as BN often involves the adoption of inappropriate compensatory behaviors aimed at averting weight gain. Normal eating behavior is coordinated by a well-regulated trade-off between intestinal and central ingestive mechanism. Conversely, despite the fact that the etiology of BED and BN remains incompletely resolved, emerging evidence corroborates the notion that dysbiosis of gastrointestinal microbiome and its metabolites, alteration of gut-brain axis, as well as malfunctioning central circuitry regulating motivation, execution and reward all contribute to the pathology of binge eating. In this review, we aim to outline the current state of knowledge pertaining to the potential mechanisms through which each component of the gut-brain axis participates in binge eating behaviors, and provide insight for the development of microbiome-based therapeutic interventions that hold promise in ameliorating patients afflicted with binge eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Guo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Intelligent Processing, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Hefei, China
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Staller K, Abber SR, Burton Murray H. The intersection between eating disorders and gastrointestinal disorders: a narrative review and practical guide. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:565-578. [PMID: 36868254 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(22)00351-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Eating disorders include a spectrum of disordered thinking patterns and behaviours around eating. There is increasing recognition of the bi-directional relationship between eating disorders and gastrointestinal disease. Gastrointestinal symptoms and structural issues might arise from eating disorders, and gastrointestinal disease might be a risk factor for eating disorder development. Cross-sectional research suggests that individuals with eating disorders are disproportionately represented among people seeking care for gastrointestinal symptoms, with avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder in particular garnering attention for high rates among individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders. This Review aims to describe the research to date on the relationship between gastrointestinal disorders and eating disorders, highlight research gaps, and provide brief, practical guidance for the gastroenterology provider in detecting, potentially preventing, and treating gastrointestinal symptoms in eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Staller
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sophie R Abber
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Helen Burton Murray
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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3
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Variations in oral responsiveness associate with specific signatures in the gut microbiota and modulate dietary habits. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Terry SM, Barnett JA, Gibson DL. A critical analysis of eating disorders and the gut microbiome. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:154. [PMID: 36329546 PMCID: PMC9635068 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota, also known as our "second brain" is an exciting frontier of research across a multitude of health domains. Gut microbes have been implicated in feeding behaviour and obesity, as well as mental health disorders including anxiety and depression, however their role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs) has only recently been considered. EDs are complex mental health conditions, shaped by a complicated interplay of factors. Perhaps due to an incomplete understanding of the etiology of EDs, treatment remains inadequate with affected individuals likely to face many relapses. The gut microbiota may be a missing piece in understanding the etiology of eating disorders, however more robust scientific inquiry is needed in the field before concrete conclusions can be made. In this spotlight paper, we critically evaluate what is known about the bi-directional relationship between gut microbes and biological processes that are implicated in the development and maintenance of EDs, including physiological functioning, hormones, neurotransmitters, the central nervous system, and the immune system. We outline limitations of current research, propose concrete steps to move the field forward and, hypothesize potential clinical implications of this research. Our gut is inhabited by millions of bacteria which have more recently been referred to as "our second brain". In fact, these microbes are thought to play a role in ED behaviour, associated anxiety and depression, and even affect our weight. Recent research has dove into this field with promising findings that have the potential to be applied clinically to improve ED recovery. The present paper discusses what is known about the gut microbiome in relation to EDs and the promising implications that leveraging this knowledge, through fecal microbiome transplants, probiotics, and microbiome-directed supplemental foods, could have on ED treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M Terry
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Jacqueline A Barnett
- Department of Biology, I.K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Deanna L Gibson
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada. .,Department of Biology, I.K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
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Guerrero-Hreins E, Foldi CJ, Oldfield BJ, Stefanidis A, Sumithran P, Brown RM. Gut-brain mechanisms underlying changes in disordered eating behaviour after bariatric surgery: a review. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:733-751. [PMID: 34851508 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09696-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bariatric surgery results in long-term weight loss and an improved metabolic phenotype due to changes in the gut-brain axis regulating appetite and glycaemia. Neuroendocrine alterations associated with bariatric surgery may also influence hedonic aspects of eating by inducing changes in taste preferences and central reward reactivity towards palatable food. However, the impact of bariatric surgery on disordered eating behaviours (e.g.: binge eating, loss-of-control eating, emotional eating and 'addictive eating'), which are commonly present in people with obesity are not well understood. Increasing evidence suggests gut-derived signals, such as appetitive hormones, bile acid profiles, microbiota concentrations and associated neuromodulatory metabolites, can influence pathways in the brain implicated in food intake, including brain areas involved in sensorimotor, reward-motivational, emotional-arousal and executive control components of food intake. As disordered eating prevalence is a key mediator of weight-loss success and patient well-being after bariatric surgery, understanding how changes in the gut-brain axis contribute to disordered eating incidence and severity after bariatric surgery is crucial to better improve treatment outcomes in people with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Guerrero-Hreins
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire J Foldi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brian J Oldfield
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aneta Stefanidis
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Priya Sumithran
- Department of Medicine (St Vincent's), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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Giel KE, Bulik CM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Hay P, Keski-Rahkonen A, Schag K, Schmidt U, Zipfel S. Binge eating disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022; 8:16. [PMID: 35301358 PMCID: PMC9793802 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by regular binge eating episodes during which individuals ingest comparably large amounts of food and experience loss of control over their eating behaviour. The worldwide prevalence of BED for the years 2018-2020 is estimated to be 0.6-1.8% in adult women and 0.3-0.7% in adult men. BED is commonly associated with obesity and with somatic and mental health comorbidities. People with BED experience considerable burden and impairments in quality of life, and, at the same time, BED often goes undetected and untreated. The aetiology of BED is complex, including genetic and environmental factors as well as neuroendocrinological and neurobiological contributions. Neurobiological findings highlight impairments in reward processing, inhibitory control and emotion regulation in people with BED, and these neurobiological domains are targets for emerging treatment approaches. Psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for BED. Recognition and research on BED has increased since its inclusion into DSM-5; however, continuing efforts are needed to understand underlying mechanisms of BED and to improve prevention and treatment outcomes for this disorder. These efforts should also include screening, identification and implementation of evidence-based interventions in routine clinical practice settings such as primary care and mental health outpatient clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin E Giel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (KOMET), Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fernando Fernandez-Aranda
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Kathrin Schag
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (KOMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (KOMET), Tübingen, Germany
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Abstract
Microbes in the 21st century are understood as symbionts ‘completing’ the human ‘superorganism’ (Homo sapiens plus microbial partners-in-health). This paper addresses a significant paradox: despite the vast majority of our genes being microbial, the lack of routine safety testing for the microbiome has led to unintended collateral side effects from pharmaceuticals that can damage the microbiome and inhibit innate ‘colonization resistance’ against pathobionts. Examples are discussed in which a Microbiome First Medicine approach provides opportunities to ‘manage our microbes’ holistically, repair dysbiotic superorganisms, and restore health and resilience in the gut and throughout the body: namely, managing nosocomial infections for Clostridioides difficile and Staphylococcus aureus and managing the gut and neural systems (gut–brain axis) in autism spectrum disorder. We then introduce a risk analysis tool: the evidence map. This ‘mapping’ tool was recently applied by us to evaluate evidence for benefits, risks, and uncertainties pertaining to the breastmilk ecosystem. Here, we discuss the potential role of the evidence map as a risk analysis methodology to guide scientific and societal efforts to: (1) enhance ecosystem resilience, (2) ‘manage our microbes’, and (3) minimize the adverse effects of both acute and chronic diseases.
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