Physiol. Res. 54: 443-451, 2005


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

 


© 2005 by the Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences