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Decreased Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) in Autistic Children with Severe Gastrointestinal Disease
A J Russo1, A Krigsman, B Jepson
1Research Director, Health Research Institute/Pfeiffer Treatment Center, 4575 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville, Illinois 60555, USA.
Insights
Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels are significantly lower in autistic children with gastrointestinal (GI) disease. This finding suggests HGF may be a biomarker for GI issues in autism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction.
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) plays a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration.
- Altered HGF levels have been implicated in various inflammatory and developmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels in autistic children presenting with severe gastrointestinal (GI) disease.
- To determine if there is a correlation between the severity of GI pathology and HGF concentration in this population.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 29 autistic children with chronic GI disease and compared to 31 controls.
- HGF levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
- GI disease severity was assessed and correlated with HGF levels.
Main Results:
- Autistic children with GI disease exhibited significantly lower serum HGF levels compared to all control groups.
- A collective comparison showed significantly lower HGF levels in all autistic children versus non-autistic children.
- No significant relationship was found between the severity of GI disease and HGF concentration in autistic children with GI issues.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a strong association between reduced serum HGF levels and the presence of GI disease in autistic children.
- These findings suggest a potential functional link between the Met gene, HGF, and autism.
- Serum HGF may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying GI disease in autistic children, particularly those with severe symptoms.
Aim:
To assess serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels in autistic children with severe gastrointestinal (GI) disease and to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between GI pathology and HGF concentration.
Subjects And Methods:
Serum from 29 autistic children with chronic digestive disease (symptoms for a minimum of 6-12 months), most with ileo-colonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH-markedly enlarged lymphoid nodules) and inflammation of the colorectum, small bowel and/or stomach), and 31 controls (11 age matched autistic children with no GI disease, 11 age matched non autistic children without GI disease and 9 age matched non autistic children with GI disease) were tested for HGF using ELISAs. HGF concentration of autistic children with GI disease was compared to GI disease severity.
Results:
Autistic children with GI disease had significantly lower serum levels of HGF compared to controls (autistic without GI disease; p = 0.0005, non autistic with no GI disease; p = 0.0001, and non autistic with GI disease; p = 0.001). Collectively, all autistic children had significantly lower HGF levels when compared to non autistic children (p < 0.0001). We did not find any relationship between severity of GI disease and HGF concentration in autistic children with GI disease.
Discussion:
These results suggest an association between HGF serum levels and the presence of GI disease in autistic children and explain a potential functional connection between the Met gene and autism. The concentration of serum HGF may be a useful biomarker for autistic children, especially those with severe GI disease.
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