Long-term dynamics of serum α-MSH and α-MSH-binding immunoglobulins with a link to gut microbiota composition in patients with anorexia nervosa

Immunoglobulins (Ig) reactive with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anorexigenic neuropeptide, are present in humans and were previously associated with eating disorders. In this longitudinal study involving patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), we determined whether α-MSH in serum is bound to IgG and analyzed long-term dynamics of both α-MSH peptide and α-MSH-reactive Ig in relation to changes in BMI and gut microbiota composition.