Elevated plasma B and betaine levels in women with anorexia nervosa: possible role in illness pathophysiology and epigenetic regulation.

Background: Phenomenology in anorexia nervosa (AN) appears to be subject to epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation. The micronutrients B and betaine contribute directly to DNA methylation and have been shown to be abnormally elevated in blood samples from people with AN.

Methods: We measured plasma B and betaine levels, as well as leukocyte DNA methylation levels, among women with active AN (AN-active group), those in 1-year remission from AN (AN-remitted group), and those who had never experienced an eating disorder (NED group).