Autoantibodies, Oxidative Stress, and Nutritional State in Anorexia Nervosa

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight, leading to severe calorie restriction and weight loss. Beyond its psychiatric challenges, AN has significant physical consequences affecting multiple organ systems. Recent research has increasingly focused on the interplay between autoantibodies, oxidative stress, and nutritional state in this condition. Methods: Ninety-six subjects were evaluated: forty-eight with AN and forty-eight normal-weight control subjects. The serum levels of IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens, uric acid, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated by laboratory assays. Results: Anti-hypothalamic autoantibodies were found in AN patients. Furthermore, increased levels of oxidative stress were reported, as measured by decreased serum uric acid and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and they reduced with the disease duration and the restoration of body mass index (BMI). Finally, a decrease in both autoantibodies and oxidative stress was observed as patients' clinical condition improved, as measured by time since diagnosis and BMI recovery. Conclusions: The clinical improvement of AN patients seems to be associated with a decrease in the autoimmune response to hypothalamic cellular antigens and a reduction in oxidative stress. Dysregulation of the immune system and oxidative stress appear to be interconnected in various diseases, including autoimmune and psychiatric disorders. These findings, although preliminary, may offer potential avenues for the treatment of this challenging condition.