DIFFERENCES IN SKIN CAROTENOID LEVEL WITH REGARD TO SUBCUTANEOUS ADIPOSE TISSUE THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Besides the reduction of body structures, anorexia nervosa (AN) is accompanied by severe metabolic disturbances. Hypercarotenemia, the accumulation of carotenoids in the skin presumably due to disturbed lipid metabolism, is frequently observed in AN patients. However, the pathophysiology of hypercarotenemia is not yet fully understood. Moreover, differences in the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in AN patients with the same BMI have been observed recently. Hence, we analyzed carotenoid levels in AN patients of different body composition. Materials and Methods: SAT was determined at eight sites by a standardized, reliable and accurate ultrasound technique in AN patients (n=18). The sum of these sites (DINCL) represents the SAT amount. Because of the observed differences in DINCL, the group was divided by the median of DINCL for further analysis (G1, G2). Skin carotenoids were measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive method that measures skin carotenoid concentrations via the light absorbing characteristics of carotenoids. Results: G1 had a mean DINCL of 13.7±9.6mm and mean skin carotenoid level of 43889±12211 counts, while G2 had mean DINCL values of 44.6±10.6mm and skin carotenoid level of 26333±12797 counts. Group comparison revealed significant differences in SAT thickness (p<0.001) and skin carotenoid level (p=0.009), respectively. Conclusion: AN patients with lower SAT thicknesses had significantly higher dermal carotenoid levels compared to AN patients with higher remaining SAT, indicating that the disturbances in carotenoid metabolism that led to the skin accumulation of carotenoids might go along with reduction in body fat mass. Thus, body composition may play an important role in the occurrence of hypercarotenemia in AN. Acknowledgement : Josef Smolle (Initiator of the ESAN-Study IC3490), Medical University Graz