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Examining associations between prenatal biomarkers of oxidative stress and ASD-related outcomes using quantile

Meghan E Carey1, Juliette Rando2, Stepan Melnyk3,4

  • 1A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States. mek376@drexel.edu.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study found no strong link between prenatal oxidative stress (OS) and autism-related outcomes in high-risk siblings. Higher glutathione levels, indicating lower OS, showed a minor association with increased social responsiveness scores.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Environmental Health
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Prenatal oxidative stress (OS) is a potential environmental factor implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Understanding the relationship between maternal OS during pregnancy and autism-related outcomes is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific biomarkers of OS in late pregnancy and autism-related outcomes in younger siblings of children with autism.
  • To explore the relationship between glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), 8-oxo-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG), nitrotyrosine, and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of women with an autistic child was followed through a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Maternal OS biomarkers (GSH, GSSG, 8-OHdG, nitrotyrosine) were measured in late pregnancy.
  • Quantile regression was used to examine associations with younger sibling SRS scores.

Main Results:

  • Increasing GSH:GSSG ratio (indicating decreasing OS) was associated with minor increases in SRS scores at the 50th percentile (β: 1.78, 95% CI: 0.67, 3.06).
  • No significant associations were found for other OS biomarkers or other SRS score percentiles.
  • The findings do not support a strong relationship between OS in late pregnancy and autism-related outcomes in this high-risk cohort.

Conclusions:

  • This study suggests that OS in late pregnancy may not be a primary driver of autism-related outcomes in siblings with an elevated genetic risk.
  • Further research is needed to explore OS at different gestational timepoints and investigate other potential biomarkers and etiological factors.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCohortEpidemiologyNeurodevelopmentOxidative stressRisk factors

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