Elevated plasma lipids in patients with binge eating disorders are found only in those who are anorexic

Abstract

Objective We have previously shown that patients with restricting type anorexia nervosa (AN‐R) have low plasma lipid levels, which increase with refeeding. In this study, we investigated plasma lipid levels in patients with eating disorders, distinguishing between individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa of the binge eating/purging type (AN‐B). Methods We examined the fasting lipid levels in individuals with BN (n = 10) and AN‐B (n = 9), and compared these findings with a group of age‐matched normal weight healthy controls (C) (n = 10). Results The AN‐B group had significantly higher concentrations of total plasma cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoA1, and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol than both control and BN groups (p < .05). The AN‐B group also had higher plasma triglycerides and intermediate‐density lipoprotein (IDL)‐apo B levels (p < .05) than controls. Discussion In conclusion, the issue of hyperlipidemia in patients with eating disorders is a complex one and this study, taken together with the findings of our previous study, demonstrates the importance of carefully distinguishing between the major types of eating disorders (AN‐R, BN, and AN‐B) when examining plasma lipid levels. © 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 25: 187–193, 1999.

Lipoprotein metabolism in patients with anorexia nervosa: a case–control study investigating the mechanisms leading to hypercholesterolaemia

“…The higher concentrations of VLDL-TG and VLDL-Chol in AN-B could be a result of the influence of bingeeating during the present study. Other studies have also found higher TG concentrations (Sanchez-Muniz et al 1991;Case et al 1999) and Chol levels in the so-called 'bulimic' type of AN patients. Increases in total Chol and LDL-Chol are seen when highfat diets are given to dieters or to subjects on low-fat diets (Stone, 1994).…”

“…As AN-B eat foods rich in carbohydrate and fat (and thus rich in Chol) during the binge episodes, this could provide a further contribution to the higher Chol concentration seen in these subjects (Zoppi et al 1993;Sullivan et al 1998). Other studies have also suggested a relationship between this bulimic behaviour and hypercholesterolaemia (Crisp et al 1967;Affenito et al 1997;Case et al 1999). It could be argued that purging does not lead to absorption of the food consumed, but it has been shown previously that a substantial amount of energy is absorbed despite vomiting (Kaye et al 1993).…”

Administration of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Normalizes GH-IGF1 Axis and Improves Malnutrition-related Disorders in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

“…features [19,20]. The level was normalized by rhGH, indicating that this AN-specific metabolism of HDLcholesterol is partly related to the insufficient action of GH in this syndrome.…”

“…It is well documented that hypercholesterolemia is present in patients with AN [19,20]. Administration of rhGH decreased total cholesterol level.…”

“…Depressed hematopoietic system, characterized by thrombocytopenia, is frequently observed in this syndrome [1]. Disorders in cardiac system, which are important in the determination of mortality of this syndrome, are reported [20,23,24]. As demonstrated, number of platelet and cardiac output were improved by rhGH, indicating that normalization of GH-IGF-1 axis is important in recovering these systems [25,26].…”