Nutritional status and Adiponectine plasma levels in patients affected by Anorexia Nervosa

Nutritional status and Adiponectine plasma levels in patients affected by Anorexia Nervosa C. Masoni, L. Ghiadoni, C. Scarpellini, C. Consani, E. Matteucci & O. Giampietro Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy Background: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is prevalent in modern societies but is not well understood yet. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate circulating levels of Adiponectine (Apn) and the relationship between these levels and anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Materials and methods: The study included 40 women, 20 with AN (BMI 15Æ7 ± 2Æ1 kg m)2, age 30Æ2 ± 10Æ5 years), 12 restricter (BMI 14Æ9 ± 1Æ6 kgm)2) and 8 binge-purge subtype (BMI 18Æ3 ± 0Æ8 kg m)2), and 20 healthy controls (BMI 22Æ06 ± 0Æ93 kg m)2, age 32Æ4 ± 4Æ4 years). Food intake was evaluated by a 5-day 24 hour dietary recall. Results: Apn was higher (P < 0Æ001) in AN (36Æ84 ± 13Æ12 ng mL)1) than controls (15Æ1 ± 3Æ0 ng mL)1) and (P = 0Æ004) in restricter (41Æ8 ± 11Æ0 ng mL)1) than in binge-purge AN subtype (22Æ1 ± 4Æ5 ng mL)1). Apn levels were negatively related with BMI in total population (AN + C), without significance. Total and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol levels were higher (P < 0Æ05; P = 0Æ001) in AN (193Æ09 ± 39Æ86 mg dL)1; 107Æ95 ± 27Æ75 mg dL)1) than C (166Æ09 ± 13Æ70 mg dL)1; 83Æ6 ± 15 mg dL)1), while Albumin was lower (P < 0Æ05) in AN than C (4Æ40 ± 0Æ41 vs. 4Æ65 ± 0Æ57 g dL)1); no difference between restricter and binge-purge subtype. Prealbumin and C Somatomedine were similar in AN and C because of these parameters rapidly change with changing of nutritional habits, and the study’s patients were already included into nutritional educational program: although their daily caloric intake was lower than the recommended assumption levels of nutrients (LARN, National Institute of Nutrition), the caloric division between macronutrients was correct. Conclusions: Increase of Apn in AN might be related to fat mass reduction, in fact Apn progressively increase in losing weight obese, or fat mass might exert negative feedback on Apn production, the severe emaciation in AN could inhibit this feedback.