Dyslipidemia in Anorexia Nervosa Is Associated with Decreased Plasma Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and a Specific Fatty Acid Pattern

TL;DR

This study finds that people with anorexia nervosa have specific changes in fats and bile acids in their blood, which could help identify the condition.

Contribution

The study identifies a unique fatty acid pattern and reduced TUDCA levels in anorexia nervosa patients, suggesting a potential biomarker.

Findings

AN patients had higher HDL-C and palmitic acid but lower linoleic acid and TUDCA compared to controls.

AN patients showed decreased PUFA n-6 and increased delta 9 desaturase activity for stearic acid.

HDL-C levels in AN were predicted by specific fatty acids and fat mass index (R² = 0.43).

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia and distorted fatty acid (FA) metabolism are frequent biochemical abnormalities associated with anorexia nervosa (AN). Gut microbiota is supposed to play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of AN. Apart from the digestive function of bile acids (BAs), these compounds have multiple metabolic functions due to the activation of specific receptors. Objective/aims: The aims of the study were to investigate biochemical measures, including plasma lipids (lipoproteins, respectively), fatty acid (FA) patterns, and the profile of plasma Bas, in AN patients and healthy controls (CON). Methods: Plasma phospholipid FA and BAs profiles were analyzed in 39 women with a restrictive type of AN (AN-R; median age 17 years) and in 35 CON women (median age 20 years). Results: Compared to CON, AN had an increased concentration of HDL-C, increased content of palmitic acid, and decreased proportion of linoleic acid. Moreover, AN had a drop in the level of the sum of PUFAn-6 and increased delta 9 desaturase activity for stearic acid. In AN, we found decreased levels of plasma tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). In AN, concentrations of 22:5n-6, 16:0, 20:3n-6 and fat mass index were predic-tors of HDL-C levels (R2 = 0.43). Conclusions: Patients with AN-R had an increased concentration of HDL-C, decreased levels of total PUFA n-6, and increased activity of D9D for stearic acid. Furthermore, AN exerted decreased levels of TUDCA. Therefore, a decreased level of TUDCA could potentially serve as a marker of AN.