Title:Is the Impact of Starvation on the Gut Microbiota Specific or Unspecific to Anorexia Nervosa? A Narrative Review Based on a Systematic Literature Search
Volume: 16
Issue: 8
Author(s): Isabelle Mack*, John Penders, Jessica Cook, Jaslyn Dugmore, Nazar Mazurak and Paul Enck
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tubingen, Tubingen,Germany
Keywords:
Microbiota, gastrointestinal, hibernation, fasting, starvation, caloric restriction, eating disorder, anorexia nervosa.
Abstract: Background: The role of the gut microbiota in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) has long been
neglected by researchers, although the fact that the former is known to play an important role in
health, disease and weight regulation. Cycles of overweight and underweight due to natural states of
starvation and refeeding are normal in many vertebrates in their ecological niches.
Objective: The aim of this review was to compare the similarities and differences of the gut microbiota
in eating disorders with conditions of fasting and refeeding in other vertebrates.
Method: A systematic literature search was conducted in Pubmed and Web of Science to find all
relevant studies examining the gut microbiota in eating disorders and different states of fasting in
vertebrates for this narrative review.
Results: Gut microbiota appears to differ in AN versus normal-weight individuals. Induced fasting
conditions in other vertebrates resulted in heterogeneous effects on gut microbiota with respect to
their richness, diversity and community structures. The findings for hibernating animals were generally
consistent. A decrease in microbial richness and diversity was observed in the hibernating
animal compared to the active animal, and the community structures were linked to these conditions.
Some similarities and differences between AN and different states of fasting in other vertebrates
were found.
Conclusion: The complexity of the relationship between fasting and gut microbiota is difficult to
interprete. A deeper biological understanding is necessary to identify promising approaches for the
modulation of the AN gut microbiota to support established psychotherapies.