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Urinary oxidative stress markers in children with autism
Lakshmi Priya Malarveni Damodaran1, Geetha Arumugam
1Department of Biochemistry, Bharathi Women's College, North Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Redox Report : Communications in Free Radical Research
|October 19, 2011
Summary
Oxidative stress markers are elevated in autistic children, with higher levels correlating to increased autism severity. Urinary antioxidants were significantly lower in autistic children, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for autism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, is implicated in neuropsychiatric disease pathophysiology.
- Assessing oxidative stress in children with autism is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze urinary oxidative stress markers in children with autism.
- To evaluate the correlation between these urinary markers and autism severity.
- To determine if urine samples can serve as a reliable alternative to blood for this assessment.
Main Methods:
- Studied 45 children with autism (classified by severity: low, medium, high functioning) and 50 healthy controls (ages 4-12).
- Measured urinary levels of various oxidative stress markers, including lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls.
- Assessed total antioxidant capacity, total peroxide content, and oxidative stress index in urine.
Main Results:
- Autistic children exhibited significantly elevated urinary oxidative stress markers compared to controls.
- Urinary antioxidant levels were significantly lower in autistic children.
- A positive correlation was found between oxidative stress marker levels and autism severity (LFA > MFA > HFA).
Conclusions:
- Urinary oxidative stress markers can effectively measure oxidative stress in children with autism.
- Urinary lipid peroxidation products correlate with autism severity, supporting their use as biomarkers.
- Urinary oxidative stress markers and antioxidants show promise as reliable biomarkers for autism.
