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Plasma amino acids in anorexia nervosa
D Moyano1, M A Vilaseca, R Artuch
1Serveis de Bioquímica Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|October 2, 1998
Summary
Adolescents with anorexia nervosa show a trend towards higher plasma amino acid levels, with specific ratios like Phe/Tyr being significantly altered. These findings suggest unique metabolic abnormalities in anorexia nervosa, differing from other malnutrition states.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is associated with significant metabolic disturbances.
- Understanding the amino acid profile is crucial for assessing nutritional status in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the plasma amino acid profile in adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
- To explore alternative methods for presenting and analyzing amino acid data to better understand metabolic abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in 92 female adolescents with anorexia nervosa using ion exchange chromatography.
- Reference values were obtained from healthy adolescents.
- Additional analyses included basic laboratory tests, carnitine, and IGF-I.
Main Results:
- Anorexic patients exhibited significantly higher plasma concentrations of taurine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, methionine, phenylalanine, ornithine, and histidine compared to controls.
- Arginine and cystine levels were significantly lower in patients with anorexia nervosa.
- Key amino acid ratios, including Phe/Tyr, Met/Cys, and Gly/Val, were significantly altered in the patient group.
Conclusions:
- A tendency towards hyperaminoacidemia is characteristic of anorexia nervosa.
- While absolute amino acid values have limited use, specific ratios and relative value plots may aid in assessment.
- The amino acid profile in anorexia nervosa suggests a marasmic pattern of protein-energy undernutrition, with cystine and arginine potentially being limiting amino acids.