Composition of Plasma Fatty
Acids and Non-Cholesterol Sterols in Anorexia Nervosa
A. ŽÁK, M. VECKA, E. TVRZICKÁ, M. HRUBÝ, F.
NOVÁK, H. PAPEŽOVÁ1,
H. LUBANDA, L. VESELÁ, B. STAŇKOVÁ
Fourth Department of Medicine and 1Department
of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University,
Prague, Czech Republic
Received May 13, 2004
Accepted October 8, 2004
On-line available December 9, 2004
Summary
Anorexia nervosa is a model of simple starvation accompanied by
secondary hyperlipoproteinemia. The pattern of plasma fatty
acids influences the levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins.
The concentration of plasma lathosterol is a surrogate marker of
cholesterol synthesis de novo, concentrations of campesterol and
beta-sitosterol reflect resorption of exogenous cholesterol. The
aim of the study was to evaluate fatty acids in plasma lipid
classes and their relationship to plasma lipids, lipoproteins,
cholesterol precursors and plant sterols. We examined 16 women
with anorexia nervosa and 25 healthy ones. Patients with
anorexia nervosa revealed increased concentrations of total
cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, campesterol and
beta-sitosterol. Moreover, a decreased content of n-6
polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in all lipid classes.
These changes were compensated by an increased content of
monounsaturated fatty acids in cholesteryl esters, saturated
fatty acids in triglycerides and both monounsaturated and
saturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine. The most
consistent finding in the fatty acid pattern concerned a
decreased content of linoleic acid and a raised content of
palmitoleic acid in all lipid classes. The changes of plasma
lipids and lipoproteins in anorexia nervosa are the result of
complex mechanisms including decreased catabolism of
triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, normal rate of cholesterol
synthesis and increased resorption of exogenous cholesterol.
Key words
Anorexia nervosa • Plasma lipids • Lipoproteins • Lathosterol •
Fatty acids • Plant sterols
|