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Intestinal cytokines in children with pervasive developmental disorders
Magee L DeFelice1, Eduardo D Ruchelli, Jonathan E Markowitz
1Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|August 9, 2003
Summary
This study found no significant difference in key inflammatory markers between children with autism and controls, suggesting autism is not linked to gastrointestinal immune dysregulation. Further research is needed to fully understand the autism-gastrointestinal connection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neuroimmunology
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
Background:
- Autism is often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) issues and immune system irregularities.
- Previous observations include lymphonodular hyperplasia and enterocolitis in autistic children.
- The potential link between autism and GI immune dysregulation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1beta in intestinal biopsies.
- To evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) immunity in children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs).
Main Methods:
- Collected intestinal biopsies from 15 children (6 with PDDs, 9 controls) during diagnostic colonoscopy.
- Organ cultured biopsies and quantified cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta) in supernatants using ELISA.
- Performed blinded histological evaluation of tissue samples.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in IL-6, IL-8, or IL-1beta levels between children with PDDs and controls.
- Intestinal IL-6 and IL-8 levels were generally lower in the PDD group compared to controls.
- Histological examination revealed no pathological findings in any participants.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find evidence supporting a link between autism and increased GI inflammation.
- Results indicate no significant difference in the production of key inflammatory cytokines between children with PDDs and controls.
- The findings challenge the hypothesis of a direct association between autism and GI immune dysregulation.