Neuropeptide B and Vaspin as New Biomarkers in Anorexia Nervosa

Diet Traps during Eating Disorders among Dentate Patients at an Oral Health Glance

Persons suffering from eating disorders (ED) may often experience a recurrence/persistence symptoms despite the completion of psychiatric therapy. In most cases, their general health status is linked to current nutritional behaviors. Medical professionals, general practitioners (GPs), dieticians, and dentists may see those patients in their practices. At the same time, due to low sense of illness, some patients may delay or never seek professional medical care. The aim of this article is to analyze the main ED types according to dietary behaviors causing oral health problems and discuss oral health complications in affected dentate patients. The second objective is to update oral preventive measures and technological innovations together with active agents for oral hygiene care that might effectively support oral health maintenance during the presence of long-term symptoms. The research method involved a review of clinical reports as a synthesis of the electronic research in the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Based on the research, ED patients were found to present related incidences of oral complications. Studies have reported that the possible course of an ED and comorbidities may be an imbalance in the oral environment. The results showed an association between biological (malnutrition, etc.), behavioral (binge eating episodes, vomiting, acidic diet, poor oral hygiene), and pharmacotherapeutic (addiction, hyposalivation) factors that may threaten oral health. Early diagnosis of the past and present symptoms is essential to eliminate and take control of destructive behaviors. Oral changes need to be tackled with medical insight, and additionally, the perception of dietary interactions is recommended.

The Role of Neuropeptide B and Its Receptors in Controlling Appetite, Metabolism, and Energy Homeostasis

Neuropeptide B (NPB) is a peptide hormone that was initially described in 2002. In humans, the biological effects of NPB depend on the activation of two G protein-coupled receptors, NPBWR1 (GPR7) and NPBWR2 (GPR8), and, in rodents, NPBWR1. NPB and its receptors are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and in peripheral tissues. NPB is also present in the circulation. In the CNS, NPB modulates appetite, reproduction, pain, anxiety, and emotions. In the peripheral tissues, NPB controls secretion of adrenal hormones, pancreatic beta cells, and various functions of adipose tissue. Experimental downregulation of either NPB or NPBWR1 leads to adiposity. Here, we review the literature with regard to NPB-dependent control of metabolism and energy homeostasis.

Neuropeptide B stimulates insulin secretion and expression but not proliferation in rat insulin‑producing INS‑1E cells

Neuropeptide B (NPB) regulates food intake, body weight and energy homeostasis by interacting with NPBW1/NPBW2 in humans and NPBW1 in rodents. NPB and NPBW1 are widely expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues including pancreatic islets. Although previous studies have demonstrated a prominent role for NPB and NPBW1 in controlling glucose and energy homeostasis, it remains unknown as to whether NPB modulates pancreatic β‑cell functions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of NPB on insulin expression and secretion in vitro. Furthermore, the role of NPB in the modulation of INS‑1E cell growth, viability and death was examined. Gene expression was assessed by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Cell proliferation and viability were determined by BrdU or MTT tests, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by relative quantification histone‑complexed DNA fragments (mono‑and oligonucleosomes). Insulin secretion was studied using an ELISA test. Protein phosphorylation was assessed by western blot analysis. NPB and NPBW1 mRNA was expressed in INS‑1E cells and rat pancreatic islets. In INS‑1E cells, NPB enhanced insulin 1 mRNA expression via an ERK1/2‑dependent mechanism. Furthermore, NPB stimulated insulin secretion from INS‑1E cells and rat pancreatic islets. By contrast, NPB failed to affect INS‑1E cell growth or death. We conclude that NPB may regulate insulin secretion and expression in INS‑1E cells and insulin secretion in rat pancreatic islets.