Retraction Note: Metabolomic profiling of amino acid alterations in anorexia nervosa: implications for appetite regulation and therapeutic strategies.

The article "Metabolomic profiling of amino acid alterations in anorexia nervosa: implications for appetite regulation and therapeutic strategies", by K. Donato, K. Dhuli, A. Macchia, M.C. Medori, C. Micheletti, G. Bonetti, M.R. Ceccarini, T. Beccari, P. Chiurazzi, S. Cristoni, V. Benfatti, L. Dalla Ragione, M. Bertelli, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (6 Suppl): 64-76-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202312_34691-PMID: 38112949 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer, the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results. The outcome of the investigation revealed that the manuscript presented major flaws in the following: -       Issues with ethical approval -       Undeclared conflict of interest Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. The authors disagree with this retraction. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/34691.

Author Correction: Genetic variants identified in novel candidate genes for anorexia nervosa and analysis of molecular pathways for diagnostic applications.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (6 Suppl): 77-88-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202312_34692 After publication and following some post-publication concerns, the authors have applied the following corrections to the galley proof. The conflict of interest section has been amended as follows: K. Donato is employee at MAGI EUREGIO and MAGISNAT. G. Marceddu is employee at MAGI EUREGIO. M. Bertelli is president of MAGI EUREGIO, MAGISNAT, and MAGI's LAB. M.C. Medori, A. Macchia, S. Cecchin, C. Micheletti, K. Dhuli, G. Madeo, G. Bonetti are employees at MAGI's LAB. M. Bertelli, M.R. Ceccarini, and P. Chiurazzi are patent inventors (US20220362260A11). M. Bertelli, P.E. Maltese, G. Marceddu, and S. Cecchin are patent inventors (US20230173003A1). M. Bertelli, K. Dhuli, and P.E. Maltese are patent inventors (WO2022079498A1). M. Bertelli, K. Donato, M.C. Medori, M.R. Ceccarini, T. Beccari, P. Chiurazzi, C. Micheletti, K. Dhuli, G. Bonetti, G. Marceddu are patent applicants (Application Number: 18/466.879). The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. Since the current study shares the same NGS panel for the genetic analysis as the study cited in Ref. 5 (Ceccarini MR, Precone V, Manara E, Paolacci S, Maltese PE, Benfatti V, Dhuli K, Donato K, Guerri G, Marceddu G, Chiurazzi P, Dalla Ragione L, Beccari T, Bertelli M. A next generation sequencing gene panel for use in the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27: 1869-1880), the authors amend the following sentence: "A subset comprising 163 genes from a dedicated Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel was analyzed5" in "A subset comprising 163 genes from a dedicated Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel, previously used in the study by Ceccarini et al5, was analyzed". The authors clarify that the analyzed patients of the two articles are completely independent. To clarify the data reported in Table II, the authors amend the following sentence: "Genetic variants identified in the AN population are reported in Table II." In "The genomic sequencing NGS was performed in all 135 patients recruited in the study. After obtaining the raw data, based on the ACMG guidelines (https://www.acmg.net/ACMG/Medical-Genetics-Practice-Resources/Practice-Guidelines.aspx), the results were filtered, and Table II reports the variants considered Pathogenic (P), likely pathogenic (LP), and Variable with Uncertain Significance (VUS), 61 patients in total". Consequently, to improve clarity, the legend of Table II has been amended as follows: Genetic variants identified in 61 patients out of the total 135 patients analyzed by NGS. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/34692.

Metabolomic profiling of amino acid alterations in anorexia nervosa: implications for appetite regulation and therapeutic strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN), a severe psychiatric disorder primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, is characterized by extreme dietary restriction and distorted body image. While the psychological aspects of AN are well-documented, its intricate metabolic underpinnings remain less explored. We think that metabolomic analysis of hair samples emerges as a promising tool to unveil the complex physiological alterations in AN. This study aims to comprehensively profile amino acid concentrations in hair samples from AN patients and healthy controls. Additionally, it seeks to elucidate potential correlations between amino acid alterations and appetite dysregulation in AN, thereby shedding light on the physiological basis of this debilitating disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 AN patients and 25 age-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. Hair samples were collected, and metabolites were extracted and analyzed using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Clinical data and biochemical markers were also gathered to characterize participants' demographic and clinical profiles. RESULTS: Metabolomic analysis revealed significant alterations in amino acid concentrations in AN patients compared to healthy controls. Notably, deficiencies in essential amino acids (EAAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) were observed, highlighting potential contributors to muscle wasting and appetite dysregulation. Further analysis identified specific amino acids as robust biomarkers capable of distinguishing AN patients with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveils the complex metabolic disturbances associated with AN and underscores the role of amino acid dysregulation in the disorder's pathophysiology. The identified biomarkers hold promise for diagnostic screening and potential therapeutic interventions, opening avenues for personalized approaches in AN treatment. Ultimately, this research contributes to our understanding of chronic disorders through the lens of metabolomics and the chemosensory underpinnings of appetite regulation.

Genetic variants identified in novel candidate genes for anorexia nervosa and analysis of molecular pathways for diagnostic applications.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a relentless pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. Recent research highlights the substantial contribution of genetics to AN's etiology, with genes like BDNF, SLC6A4, and DRD2 implicated. However, a comprehensive genetic test for AN diagnosis is lacking. This study aims to elucidate the biological foundations of AN, examining variants in genes associated with syndromic forms, rare variants in AN patients, and candidate genes from GWAS studies, murine models, or established molecular pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 135 AN patients from Italy, diagnosed based on DSM-V criteria. A specialized Next-Generation Sequencing panel targeting 163 genes was designed. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq System, and variants were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Data on clinical parameters, exercise habits, and AN types were collected. RESULTS: The AN cohort, predominantly female, exhibited diverse clinical characteristics. Our analysis identified gene variants associated with syndromic forms of AN, such as STRA6, NF1, MAT1A, and ABCC6. Variants were also found in known AN-related genes (CD36, DRD4, GCKR, GHRL, GRIN3B, GPR55, LEPR) and in other 16 candidate genes (A2M, AEBP1, ABHD4, ACBD7, CNTNAP, GFRAL, GRIN2D, LIPE, LMNA, NMU, PDE3B, POMC, RYR1, TNXB, TYK2, VPS13B), highlighting the complexity of AN's genetic landscape. The endocannabinoid and dopamine pathways play crucial roles. Skeletal muscle-related genes and appetite-regulating hormones also revealed potential connections. Adipogenesis-related genes suggest AN's association with subcutaneous adipose tissue deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive insights into the genetic underpinnings of AN, emphasizing the importance of multiple pathways. The identified variants contribute.