Anorexia nervosa linked to some markers of oxidative stress

(HealthDay)—Some markers of oxidative stress are increased in anorexia nervosa (AN), according to a review published in the November issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Marco Solmi, M.D., from the University of Padova in Italy, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of oxidative stress and antioxidant levels in patients with AN. Twenty-nine studies involving 1,729 participants (895 with AN and 834 healthy controls) were included.

The researchers found that based on seven studies, patients with AN had significantly higher apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels (P = 0.0003), with higher age associated with higher ApoB (P < 0.0001); the results were not moderated by body mass index (BMI) or measurement method. In 13 studies, serum albumin levels were comparable for patients with AN and healthy controls (P = 0.38); neither age nor BMI were significant moderators. In two studies, lower superoxide dismutase levels were reported; findings were inconclusive for vitamin A and its metabolites. Significantly higher catalase and nitric oxide parameter levels were reported for patients with AN versus healthy controls, in single studies.

"Additional research is needed to discern whether oxidative stress is a potential cause or effect of AN, and whether treatments improving oxidative stress could be useful in AN," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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