Objective: The aim was to explore the down-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptors during hypercortisolaemia in anorexia nervosa.

Design: Urine and plasma samples were obtained for cortisol determination and blood lymphocytes were isolated for receptor binding studies.

Patients: Sixteen anorexic patients, aged 16-27 years, with a mean +/- SEM body mass index of 14.2 +/- 2.0 (ranging from 11.1 to 17.4), and 15 normal women were studied. Six patients were reinvestigated after a significant weight gain.

Measurements: The binding capacity and affinity of the glucocorticoid receptors were measured with dexamethasone as ligand on lymphocytes.