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Vitamin A improves the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and decreases 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT): A pilot study
Min Guo1, Jiang Zhu1, Ting Yang1
1Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China.
Insights
Vitamin A supplementation improved autism symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This intervention also decreased serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for vitamin A.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions often associated with nutritional deficiencies.
- Previous research indicated vitamin A deficiency in 77.9% of autistic children, with lower vitamin A levels correlating with higher autism symptom severity (CARS score).
- Elevated serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels are frequently observed in children with ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) in ameliorating autistic symptoms.
- To assess the impact of VAS on serum 5-HT levels in children with ASD.
- To examine changes in serum retinol, 5-HT, and specific gene expressions (RAR α, β, γ; TpH 1) following VAS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DSM-V criteria and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) for symptom assessment before and after VAS.
- Measured serum retinol and 5-HT levels, alongside mRNA expression of retinoic acid receptors (RAR α, β, γ) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TpH 1).
- Compared these parameters in children with ASD before and after VAS, and against a control group of typically developing children.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly lower serum retinol and higher serum 5-HT levels compared to controls.
- Following VAS, significant improvements in autism symptoms were observed, alongside increased serum retinol and decreased serum 5-HT levels.
- VAS led to significant changes in the mRNA expression of RAR α, RAR γ, and TpH 1.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A supplementation demonstrates potential as a therapeutic strategy for improving symptoms in children with ASD.
- VAS may help normalize elevated 5-HT levels, which are linked to autism symptom severity.
- The findings suggest that vitamin A supplementation is a viable treatment option for a subset of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complicated neurodevelopmental disorders. Many studies have demonstrated that children with autism have multiple nutritional deficiencies and increased serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels. In our previous study, 77.9% of autistic children were found to have vitamin A deficiency, and the concentration of vitamin A was negatively associated with the CARS score. In the present study, we sought to test whether vitamin A supplementation could improve autistic symptoms and decrease serum 5-HT levels. The DSM-V criteria and CARS score were used for symptom description and symptom assessment of the patients, respectively, before and after vitamin A supplementation (VAS). Serum retinol and 5-HT levels, mRNA levels of RAR α, β, and γ and TpH 1 expression were detected in autistic children before and after VAS and in normal children. Serum retinol levels in children with ASD were significantly lower than in control children. Serum 5-HT levels in children with ASD were higher than in control children, which were correlated with symptom severity of children with autism. After VA supplementation, the children with ASD exhibited significant improvement in autism symptoms. Serum retinol concentrations of children with ASD were significantly increased, and serum 5-HT levels were decreased. Moreover, statistically significant changes were observed in mRNA expression levels of RAR α, RAR γ and TpH 1 after VAS compared to baseline. This study suggested that VA supplementation may improve symptoms and reduce 5-HT levels in children with ASD, indicating that VA supplementation is a reasonable therapy at least for a subset of children with autism.
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