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Ubiquinol improves symptoms in children with autism
Anna Gvozdjáková1, Jarmila Kucharská1, Daniela Ostatníková2
1Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Medical Department, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Insights
Ubiquinol supplementation improved autism symptoms in children, including communication and sleep. This study suggests ubiquinol may be a beneficial therapy for autism spectrum disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition appearing in early childhood, characterized by behavioral issues and sleep/eating disturbances.
- The exact causes of ASD remain unclear, but oxidative stress and antioxidant roles in its pathophysiology are being investigated.
- Antioxidants like ubiquinol may play a role in the biochemical pathways associated with autism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of ubiquinol as a supportive therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
- To assess the impact of ubiquinol on behavioral symptoms and specific biomarkers in children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 24 children (aged 3-6 years) diagnosed with autism (DSM IV criteria, CARS assessment).
- Participants received three months of ubiquinol supplementation (100 mg/day).
- Plasma levels of CoQ10-TOTAL, tocopherols, beta-carotene, and lipid peroxidation were measured pre- and post-therapy. Parental reports on behavior were collected.
Main Results:
- Ubiquinol therapy led to improvements in various autism symptoms, including parental communication (12%), verbal communication (21%), play (42%), sleep (34%), and reduced food rejection (17%).
- Positive outcomes correlated with plasma CoQ10-TOTAL levels exceeding 2.5 μmol/L.
- Observed improvements suggest a beneficial effect of ubiquinol on core autism-related behaviors.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of ubiquinol's beneficial effects in children with autism.
- Plasma CoQ10-TOTAL concentration and lipid peroxidation levels may serve as useful biomarkers for monitoring ubiquinol therapy effectiveness in ASD.
- Ubiquinol shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for managing symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Background:
Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders with manifestation within 3 years after birth. Manifestations of autism include behavior problems (hyperactivity, toys destruction, self-harm, and aggression) and sleep and eating disorders. Etiology of autism is poorly understood. Oxidative stress and antioxidants can participate in pathobiochemical mechanisms of autism.
Methods:
Twenty-four children, aged 3-6 years, with autism according to the DSM IV criteria and using CARS were included in the study. Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL, γ- and α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and lipid peroxidation were determined in plasma before and after three months of supportive therapy with ubiquinol at a daily dose 2 × 50 mg. Data on behavior of the children were collected from parents at the same time.
Results:
Ubiquinol supportive therapy improved symptoms in children with autism, as communication with parents (in 12%), verbal communication (in 21%), playing games of children (in 42%), sleeping (in 34%), and food rejection (in 17%), with CoQ10-TOTAL plasma level above 2.5 μmol/L.
Conclusions:
Beneficial effect of ubiquinol in children with autism has been demonstrated for the first time. We assume that plasma concentration of CoQ10-TOTAL and lipid peroxidation could be used as relevant biomarkers of ubiquinol supportive therapy.
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