Comparison of endocannabinoids levels, FAAH gene polymorphisms, and appetite regulatory substances in women with and without binge eating disorder: a cross- sectional study

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-11, Vol.83, p.86-93
• Main Authors: Yagin, Neda Lotfi, Aliasgari, Fereshteh, Alizadeh, Mohammad, Aliasgharzadeh, Soghra, Mahdavi, Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Binge eating; Endocannabinoids; FAAH gene polymorphism; Insulin; Leptin; Obesity; Orexin-A
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2020.09.001

Binge eating disorder (BED) is known as the most common eating disorder with both psychosocial and biological factors involved. In this regard, there is a need to recognize probable disturbances in substances involved in food intake regulation in BED. In this study, we hypothesized that the levels of endocannabinoids, fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) gene polymorphisms, and appetite regulatory substances are different in overweight and obese women with and without BED. A Binge Eating Scale was used to estimate the prevalence of BED in 180 women classified as overweight or obese. The levels of anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), leptin, insulin, and orexin-A were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The subjects were genotyped for polymorphisms of FAAH gene using amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. About 41.6% (n = 75) of the subjects were diagnosed with BED. Women with BED exhibited significantly higher levels of AEA, 2-AG, leptin, and insulin compared to non-BED women (P