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Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Previous autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and air pollution studies focused on pregnancy exposures, but another vulnerable period is immediate postnatally. Here, we examined early life exposures to air pollution from the pre- to the postnatal period and ASD/ASD subtypes in the Danish population. Methods: With Danish registers, we conducted a nationwide case–control study of 15,387 children with ASD born 1989–2013 and 68,139 population controls matched by birth year and sex identified from the birth registry. We generated air dispersion geographic information system (AirGIS) model estimates for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), and particulate matter 10 (PM10) at mothers’ home from 9 months before to 9 months after pregnancy and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for parental age, neighborhood socioeconomic indicators, and maternal smoking using conditional logistic regression. Results: In models that included all exposure periods, we estimated adjusted ORs for ASD per interquartile range (IQR) increase for 9 months after pregnancy with NO2 of 1.08 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.15) and with PM2.5 of 1.06 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.11); associations were smaller for PM10 (1.04; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.09) and strongest for SO2 (1.21; 95% CI = 1.13, 1.29). Also, associations for pollutants were stronger in more recent years (2000–2013) and in larger cities compared with provincial towns/rural counties. For particles and NO2, associations were only specific to autism and Asperger diagnoses. Conclusions: Our data suggest that air pollutant exposure in early infancy but not during pregnancy increases the risk of being diagnosed with autism and Asperger among children born in Denmark.
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52
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Nevison C, Blaxill M, Zahorodny W. California Autism Prevalence Trends from 1931 to 2014 and Comparison to National ASD Data from IDEA and ADDM. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:4103-4117. [PMID: 29974300 PMCID: PMC6223814 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Time trends in U.S. autism prevalence from three ongoing datasets [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, and California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS)] are calculated using two different methods: (1) constant-age tracking of 8 year-olds and (2) age-resolved snapshots. The data are consistent across methods in showing a strong upward trend over time. The prevalence of autism in the CDDS dataset, the longest of the three data records, increased from 0.001% in the cohort born in 1931 to 1.2% among 5 year-olds born in 2012. This increase began around ~ 1940 at a rate that has gradually accelerated over time, including notable change points around birth years 1980, 1990 and, most recently, 2007.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Nevison
- Institute for Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Campus Box 450, Boulder, CO, 80309-0450, USA.
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53
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Son G, Han J. Roles of mitochondria in neuronal development. BMB Rep 2018; 51:549-556. [PMID: 30269744 PMCID: PMC6283025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are ubiquitous and multi-functional organelles involved in diverse metabolic processes, namely energy production and biomolecule synthesis. The intracellular mitochondrial morphology and distribution change dynamically, which reflect the metabolic state of a given cell type. A dramatic change of the mitochondrial dynamics has been observed in early development that led to further investigations on the relationship between mitochondria and the process of development. A significant developmental process to focus on, in this review, is a differentiation of neural progenitor cells into neurons. Information on how mitochondria- regulated cellular energetics is linked to neuronal development will be discussed, followed by functions of mitochondria and associated diseases in neuronal development. Lastly, the potential use of mitochondrial features in analyzing various neurodevelopmental diseases will be addressed. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(11): 549-556].
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Affiliation(s)
- Geurim Son
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141,
Korea
| | - Jinju Han
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141,
Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141,
Korea
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54
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Rose S, Niyazov DM, Rossignol DA, Goldenthal M, Kahler SG, Frye RE. Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mol Diagn Ther 2018; 22:571-593. [PMID: 30039193 PMCID: PMC6132446 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0352-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects ~ 2% of children in the United States. The etiology of ASD likely involves environmental factors triggering physiological abnormalities in genetically sensitive individuals. One of these major physiological abnormalities is mitochondrial dysfunction, which may affect a significant subset of children with ASD. Here we systematically review the literature on human studies of mitochondrial dysfunction related to ASD. Clinical aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD include unusual neurodevelopmental regression, especially if triggered by an inflammatory event, gastrointestinal symptoms, seizures, motor delays, fatigue and lethargy. Traditional biomarkers of mitochondrial disease are widely reported to be abnormal in ASD, but appear non-specific. Newer biomarkers include buccal cell enzymology, biomarkers of fatty acid metabolism, non-mitochondrial enzyme function, apoptosis markers and mitochondrial antibodies. Many genetic abnormalities are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD, including chromosomal abnormalities, mitochondrial DNA mutations and large-scale deletions, and mutations in both mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial nuclear genes. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been described in immune and buccal cells, fibroblasts, muscle and gastrointestinal tissue and the brains of individuals with ASD. Several environmental factors, including toxicants, microbiome metabolites and an oxidized microenvironment are shown to modulate mitochondrial function in ASD tissues. Investigations of treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD are promising but preliminary. The etiology of mitochondrial dysfunction and how to define it in ASD is currently unclear. However, preliminary evidence suggests that the mitochondria may be a fruitful target for treatment and prevention of ASD. Further research is needed to better understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Dmitriy M Niyazov
- Section of Medical Genetics, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Michael Goldenthal
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Section, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen G Kahler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Richard E Frye
- Division of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas St, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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55
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Zhang T, Li CY, Jia JJ, Chi JS, Zhou D, Li JZ, Liu XM, Zhang J, Yi L. Combination Therapy with LXW7 and Ceria Nanoparticles Protects against Acute Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats. Curr Med Sci 2018; 38:144-152. [PMID: 30074164 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-018-1858-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ischemia/reperfusion is known to greatly increase oxidative stress in the penumbra, which results in brain damage. Integrin αvβ3 is selectively up-regulated with ischemic injury to the brain and remains elevated throughout reperfusion. We determined whether or not a new compound biotinylated-LXW7-ceria nanoparticle (CeNP) (bLXW7-CeNP) plays a role in brain protection in the rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion and shows better effects than CeNPs alone in improving the outcomes of focal oxidative stress and apoptosis more effectively. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia for 2 h followed by a 24-h reperfusion. Drug treatment was intravenously administered via the caudal vein 1 h after occlusion. Rats were randomly divided into the following 4 groups: bLXW7-CeNP treatment group (0.5 mg/kg); CeNP treatment group (0.5 mg/kg); control saline group; and sham group. Brains were harvested 24 h after reperfusion, and the neurologic deficit scores, infarction volume, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and the level of oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined. Results showed that the bLXW7-CeNP and CeNP treatments could improve neurologic deficit scores, infarction volume, BBB disruption, and the level of oxidative stress and apoptosis. Compound bLXW7-CeNP treatment exhibited better effects than CeNp treatment and showed remarkable statistical differences in the infarction volume, the degree of BBB breakdown, the apoptosis and oxidative stress, apart from neurologic deficit scores. Thus, we concluded that bLXW7-CeNP protects against acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. BLXW7, as a ligand of integrin αvβ3, may be able to effectively localize the anti-oxidant CeNPs to the ischemic penumbra region, which may provide more adequate opportunities for CeNPs to exert anti-oxidative stress effects and subsequently reduce apoptosis in acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Chang-Yan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Jing-Jing Jia
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jie-Shan Chi
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Da Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Jian-Zhou Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xiao-Ma Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Li Yi
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
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56
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Delhey LM, Tippett M, Rose S, Bennuri SC, Slattery JC, Melnyk S, James SJ, Frye RE. Comparison of Treatment for Metabolic Disorders Associated with Autism:Reanalysis of Three Clinical Trials. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:19. [PMID: 29483858 PMCID: PMC5816043 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 45 individuals in the United States, yet effective treatments are yet to be defined. There is growing evidence that ASD is associated with abnormalities in several metabolic pathways, including the inter-connected folate, methylation and glutathione pathways. Several treatments that can therapeutically target these pathways have been tested in preliminary clinical trials. The combination of methylcobalamin (mB12) with low-dose folinic acid (LDFA) and sapropterin, a synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) have been studied in open-label trials while high-dose folinic acid has been studied in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. All of these treatments have the potential to positively affect folate, methylation and glutathione pathways. Although the effect of mB12/LDFA and BH4 on methylation and glutathione metabolism have been examined in the open-label studies, these changes have not been compared to controls who received a placebo in order to account for the natural variation in the changes in these pathways. Furthermore, the recent study using high-dose folinic acid (HDFA) did not analyze the change in metabolism resulting from the treatment. Thus, we compared changes in methylation and glutathione metabolism and biomarkers of chronic oxidative stress as a result of these three treatments to individuals receiving placebo. In general, mB12/LDFA treatment had a significant effect on glutathione and cysteine metabolism with a medium effect size while BH4 had a significant effect on methylation and markers of chronic oxidative stress with a large effect size. HDFA treatment did not significantly influence biomarkers of methylation, glutathione or chronic oxidative stress. One caveat was that participants in the mB12/LDFA and BH4 studies had significantly worse markers of glutathione metabolism and chronic oxidative stress at baseline, respectively. Thus, the participants selected in these two clinical trials may have been those with the most severe metabolic abnormalities and most expected to respond to these treatments. Overall this study supports the notion that metabolic abnormalities in individuals with ASD may be amenable to targeted treatments and provide some insight into the mechanism of action of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanna M Delhey
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Marie Tippett
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Shannon Rose
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Sirish C Bennuri
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - John C Slattery
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - S Jill James
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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57
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Kern JK, Geier DA, Deth RC, Sykes LK, Hooker BS, Love JM, Bjørklund G, Chaigneau CG, Haley BE, Geier MR. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Systematic Assessment of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mercury Reveals Conflicts of Interest and the Need for Transparency in Autism Research. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2017; 23:1689-1690. [PMID: 26507205 PMCID: PMC5705728 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-015-9713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet K. Kern
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | - David A. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | | | | | - Mark R. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
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58
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Kern JK, Geier DA, Deth RC, Sykes LK, Hooker BS, Love JM, Bjørklund G, Chaigneau CG, Haley BE, Geier MR. Systematic Assessment of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Mercury Reveals Conflicts of Interest and the Need for Transparency in Autism Research. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2017; 23:1691-1718. [PMID: 29119411 PMCID: PMC5705731 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-017-9983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Historically, entities with a vested interest in a product that critics have suggested is harmful have consistently used research to back their claims that the product is safe. Prominent examples are: tobacco, lead, bisphenol A, and atrazine. Research literature indicates that about 80-90% of studies with industry affiliation found no harm from the product, while only about 10-20% of studies without industry affiliation found no harm. In parallel to other historical debates, recent studies examining a possible relationship between mercury (Hg) exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show a similar dichotomy. Studies sponsored and supported by industry or entities with an apparent conflict of interest have most often shown no evidence of harm or no "consistent" evidence of harm, while studies without such affiliations report positive evidence of a Hg/autism association. The potentially causal relationship between Hg exposure and ASD differs from other toxic products since there is a broad coalition of entities for whom a conflict of interest arises. These include influential governmental public health entities, the pharmaceutical industry, and even the coal burning industry. This review includes a systematic literature search of original studies on the potential relationship between Hg and ASD from 1999 to August 2015, finding that of the studies with public health and/or industry affiliation, 86% reported no relationship between Hg and ASD. However, among studies without public health and/or industry affiliation, only 21% find no relationship between Hg and ASD. The discrepancy in these results suggests a bias indicative of a conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet K. Kern
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | - David A. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | | | | | - Mark R. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
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59
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Khemakhem AM, Frye RE, El-Ansary A, Al-Ayadhi L, Bacha AB. Novel biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction is autism spectrum disorder: potential for biological diagnostic markers. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1983-1997. [PMID: 28831647 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0085-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is behaviorally defined by social and communication impairments and restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. There is currently no biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis. Several studies suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is commonly involved in ASD pathophysiology, but standard mitochondrial biomarkers are thought to be very variable. In the present study we examine a wide variety of plasma biomarkers of mitochondrial metabolism and the related abnormalities of oxidative stress and apoptosis in 41 ASD patients assessed for ASD severity using the Childhood Autism Rating Scales and 41 non-related age and sex matched healthy controls. Our findings confirm previous studies indicating abnormal mitochondrial and related biomarkers in children with ASD including pyruvate, creatine kinase, Complex 1, Glutathione S-Transferase, glutathione and Caspase 7. As a novel finding, we report that lactate dehydrogenase is abnormal in children with ASD. We also identified that only the most severe children demonstrated abnormalities in Complex 1 activity and Glutathione S-Transferase. Additionally, we find that several biomarkers could be candidates for differentiating children with ASD and typically developing children, including Caspase 7, gluthatione and Glutathione S-Transferase by themselves and lactate dehydrogenase and Complex I when added to other biomarkers in combination. Caspase 7 was the most discriminating biomarker between ASD patients and healthy controls suggesting its potential use as diagnostic marker for the early recognition of ASD pathophysiology. This study confirms that several mitochondrial biomarkers are abnormal in children with ASD and suggest that certain mitochondrial biomarkers can differentiate between ASD and typically developing children, making them possibly useful as a tool to diagnosis ASD and identify ASD subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma M Khemakhem
- Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology Applied to Crop Improvement, Faculty of Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Slot 512-41B, Room R4041, 13 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA.
| | - Afaf El-Ansary
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Saud University, P O Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, P O Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory, King Saud University, P.O Box 22452, Zip code, Riyadh, 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laila Al-Ayadhi
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Saud University, P O Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, P O Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, P O Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abir Ben Bacha
- Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology Applied to Crop Improvement, Faculty of Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
- Biochemistry Department, Science College, King Saud University, P.O Box 22452, Zip code, Riyadh, 11495, Saudi Arabia
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60
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Giustarini D, Colombo G, Garavaglia ML, Astori E, Portinaro NM, Reggiani F, Badalamenti S, Aloisi AM, Santucci A, Rossi R, Milzani A, Dalle-Donne I. Assessment of glutathione/glutathione disulphide ratio and S-glutathionylated proteins in human blood, solid tissues, and cultured cells. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 112:360-375. [PMID: 28807817 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) is the major non-protein thiol in humans and other mammals, which is present in millimolar concentrations within cells, but at much lower concentrations in the blood plasma. GSH and GSH-related enzymes act both to prevent oxidative damage and to detoxify electrophiles. Under oxidative stress, two GSH molecules become linked by a disulphide bridge to form glutathione disulphide (GSSG). Therefore, assessment of the GSH/GSSG ratio may provide an estimation of cellular redox metabolism. Current evidence resulting from studies in human blood, solid tissues, and cultured cells suggests that GSH also plays a prominent role in protein redox regulation via S -glutathionylation, i.e., the conjugation of GSH to reactive protein cysteine residues. A number of methodologies that enable quantitative analysis of GSH/GSSG ratio and S-glutathionylated proteins (PSSG), as well as identification and visualization of PSSG in tissue sections or cultured cells are currently available. Here, we have considered the main methodologies applied for GSH, GSSG and PSSG detection in biological samples. This review paper provides an up-to-date critical overview of the application of the most relevant analytical, morphological, and proteomics approaches to detect and analyse GSH, GSSG and PSSG in mammalian samples as well as discusses their current limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Giustarini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Graziano Colombo
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Astori
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Marcello Portinaro
- Clinica ortopedica e traumatologica, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Reggiani
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Badalamenti
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Aloisi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ranieri Rossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Aldo Milzani
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Dalle-Donne
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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61
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Wong S, Giulivi C. Autism, Mitochondria and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2017; 15:614-23. [PMID: 27071785 DOI: 10.2174/1871527315666160413122624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a growing concern with more than 1 in every 68 children affected in the United States by age 8. Limited scientific advances have been made regarding the etiology of autism, with general agreement that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to this disorder. OBJECTIVE To explore the link between exposure to PBDE, mitochondrial dysfunction and autism risk. RESULTS Perinatal exposures to PBDEs may contribute to the etiology or morbidity of ASD including mitochondrial dysfunction based on (i) their increased environmental abundance and human exposures, (ii) their activity towards implicated in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity including mitochondria, and (iii) their bioaccumulation in mitochondria. CONCLUSION In this review, we propose that PBDE, and possibly other environmental exposures, during child development can induce or compound mitochondrial dysfunction, which in conjunction with a dysregulated antioxidant response, increase a child's susceptibility of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- University of California, Department of Molecular Biosciences, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., 3009 VetMed3B, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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62
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The Putative Role of Environmental Mercury in the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Subtypes. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4834-4856. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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63
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Reilly J, Gallagher L, Chen JL, Leader G, Shen S. Bio-collections in autism research. Mol Autism 2017; 8:34. [PMID: 28702161 PMCID: PMC5504648 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse clinical manifestations and symptoms. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances in understanding the genetic basis for ASD, critically supported through the establishment of ASD bio-collections and application in research. Here, we summarise a selection of major ASD bio-collections and their associated findings. Collectively, these include mapping ASD candidate genes, assessing the nature and frequency of gene mutations and their association with ASD clinical subgroups, insights into related molecular pathways such as the synapses, chromatin remodelling, transcription and ASD-related brain regions. We also briefly review emerging studies on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to potentially model ASD in culture. These provide deeper insight into ASD progression during development and could generate human cell models for drug screening. Finally, we provide perspectives concerning the utilities of ASD bio-collections and limitations, and highlight considerations in setting up a new bio-collection for ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - June L Chen
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062 China
| | - Geraldine Leader
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
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Frye RE, Rose S, Wynne R, Bennuri SC, Blossom S, Gilbert KM, Heilbrun L, Palmer RF. Oxidative Stress Challenge Uncovers Trichloroacetaldehyde Hydrate-Induced Mitoplasticity in Autistic and Control Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4478. [PMID: 28667285 PMCID: PMC5493637 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitoplasticity occurs when mitochondria adapt to tolerate stressors. Previously we hypothesized that a subset of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from children with autistic disorder (AD) show mitoplasticity (AD-A), presumably due to previous environmental exposures; another subset of AD LCLs demonstrated normal mitochondrial activity (AD-N). To better understand mitoplasticity in the AD-A LCLs we examined changes in mitochondrial function using the Seahorse XF96 analyzer in AD and Control LCLs after exposure to trichloroacetaldehyde hydrate (TCAH), an in vivo metabolite of the environmental toxicant and common environmental pollutant trichloroethylene. To better understand the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitoplasticity, TCAH exposure was followed by acute exposure to 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-napthoquinone (DMNQ), an agent that increases ROS. TCAH exposure by itself resulted in a decline in mitochondrial respiration in all LCL groups. This effect was mitigated when TCAH was followed by acute DMNQ exposure but this varied across LCL groups. DMNQ did not affect AD-N LCLs, while it neutralized the detrimental effect of TCAH in Control LCLs and resulted in a increase in mitochondrial respiration in AD-A LCLs. These data suggest that acute increases in ROS can activate mitochondrial protective pathways and that AD-A LCLs are better able to activate these protective pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Eugene Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Shannon Rose
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Rebecca Wynne
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sirish C Bennuri
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sarah Blossom
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kathleen M Gilbert
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Lynne Heilbrun
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Raymond F Palmer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Behavioral regression in 2 patients with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder after oral surgery performed with a general anesthetic. J Am Dent Assoc 2017; 148:519-524. [PMID: 28651707 DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW Routine dental care for people with autism spectrum disorders can be complex. There is little published on postoperative behavioral changes associated with use of general anesthetics in this population. CASE DESCRIPTION The authors describe postoperative behavioral changes in 2 patients with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that the patients' caretakers described as regression. In both cases, behaviors representative of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder worsened after uncomplicated oral surgery after receipt of a general anesthetic in the operating room. In both cases, behavioral changes caused great difficulties for the patients and caretakers and were difficult to address. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS With little in the scientific literature, these 2 cases have a great importance for the dental care practitioner. Awareness must be raised so that further investigation can occur regarding this phenomenon.
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66
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Bu X, Wu D, Lu X, Yang L, Xu X, Wang J, Tang J. Role of SIRT1/PGC-1α in mitochondrial oxidative stress in autistic spectrum disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2017; 13:1633-1645. [PMID: 28694700 PMCID: PMC5491272 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s129081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and has a high prevalence in children. Recently, mitochondrial oxidative stress has been proposed to be associated with ASD. Besides, SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling plays an important role in combating oxidative stress. In this study, we sought to determine the role of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling in the ASD lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). In this study, the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes were assessed in 35 children with ASD and 35 healthy controls (matched for age, gender, and IQ). An immortalized LCL was established by transforming lymphocytes with Epstein-Barr virus. Next, we used ASD LCLs and control LCLs to detect SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression and oxidative damage. Finally, the effect of overexpression of PGC-1α on oxidative injury in the ASD LCLs was determined. SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression was downregulated at RNA and protein levels in ASD patients and LCLs. Besides, the translocation of cytochrome c and DIABLO from mitochondria to the cytosol was found in the ASD LCLs. Moreover, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS and cell apoptosis were increased in the ASD LCLs. However, overexpression of PGC-1α upregulated the SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression and reduced cytochrome c and DIABLO release in the ASD LCLs. Also, overexpression of PGC-1α reduced the ROS generation and cell apoptosis in the ASD LCLs. Overexpression of PGC-1α could reduce the oxidative injury in the ASD LCLs, and PGC-1α may act as a target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Bu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - De Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiulai Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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67
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Zhang Y, Cui W, Zhai Q, Zhang T, Wen X. N-acetylcysteine ameliorates repetitive/stereotypic behavior due to its antioxidant properties without activation of the canonical Wnt pathway in a valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. Mol Med Rep 2017. [PMID: 28627665 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is widely used as an antioxidant, and previous studies have suggested that it may have potential as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with autism. However, the exact effects of NAC administration on the development of autism, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying its actions, have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of NAC on the oxidative status of rats in a valproic acid (VPA)‑induced model of autism, and to examine the involvement of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in the actions of NAC. Rats exposed to VPA were monitored for behavioral changes, and oxidative stress indicators and key molecules of the canonical Wnt pathway were investigated using colorimetric and western blot analysis, respectively. The present results demonstrated that NAC ameliorated repetitive and stereotypic activity in autism model rats. Furthermore, NAC was revealed to relieve oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the increased glutathione and reduced malondialdehyde levels compared with VPA‑treated rats. However, NAC did not appear to affect the activity of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The present findings suggested that the beneficial effects of NAC in autism may be associated with its antioxidative properties, and may not be mediated by the canonical Wnt pathway. However, it may be hypothesized that the canonical Wnt pathway can be indirectly regulated by NAC through the activation of other signaling pathways or upstream factors. Taken together, the present study has contributed to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the actions of NAC in autism, suggesting its potential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Weigang Cui
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Qianqian Zhai
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Tianran Zhang
- Undergraduate Student of Basic Medicine School, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Wen
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
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68
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Rose S, Bennuri SC, Wynne R, Melnyk S, James SJ, Frye RE. Mitochondrial and redox abnormalities in autism lymphoblastoid cells: a sibling control study. FASEB J 2017; 31:904-909. [PMID: 27864377 PMCID: PMC5354548 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601004r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with physiological abnormalities, including abnormal redox and mitochondrial metabolism. Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from some children with ASD exhibit increased oxidative stress, decreased glutathione redox capacity, and highly active mitochondria with increased vulnerability to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because unaffected siblings (Sibs) of individuals with ASD share some redox abnormalities, we sought to determine whether LCLs from Sibs share ASD-associated mitochondrial abnormalities. We evaluated mitochondrial bioenergetics in 10 sets of LCLs from children with ASD, Sibs, and unrelated/unaffected controls (Cons) after acute increases in ROS. Additionally, intracellular glutathione and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene expressions were quantified. Compared to Sib LCLs, ASD LCLs exhibited significantly higher ATP-linked respiration, higher maximal and reserve respiratory capacity, and greater glycolysis and glycolytic reserve. ASD LCLs exhibited a significantly greater change in these parameters, with acute increases in ROS compared to both Sib and Con LCLs. Compared to Con, both ASD and Sib LCLs exhibited significantly higher proton leak respiration. Consistent with this, intracellular glutathione redox capacity was decreased and UCP2 gene expression was increased in both ASD and Sib compared to Con LCLs. These data indicate that mitochondrial respiratory function, not abnormal redox homeostasis, distinguishes ASD from unaffected LCLs.-Rose, S., Bennuri, S. C., Wynne, R., Melnyk, S., James, S. J., Frye, R. E. Mitochondrial and redox abnormalities in autism lymphoblastoid cells: a sibling control study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Rose
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Sirish C Bennuri
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Rebecca Wynne
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - S Jill James
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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69
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Shpyleva S, Melnyk S, Pavliv O, Pogribny I, Jill James S. Overexpression of LINE-1 Retrotransposons in Autism Brain. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:1740-1749. [PMID: 28220356 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0421-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Long interspersed nuclear elements-1 (LINE-1 or L1) are mobile DNA sequences that are capable of duplication and insertion (retrotransposition) within the genome. Recently, retrotransposition of L1 was shown to occur within human brain leading to somatic mosaicism in hippocampus and cerebellum. Because unregulated L1 activity can promote genomic instability and mutagenesis, multiple mechanisms including epigenetic chromatin condensation have evolved to effectively repress L1 expression. Nonetheless, L1 expression has been shown to be increased in patients with Rett syndrome and schizophrenia. Based on this evidence and our reports of oxidative stress and epigenetic dysregulation in autism cerebellum, we sought to determine whether L1 expression was increased in autism brain. The results indicated that L1 expression was significantly elevated in the autism cerebellum but not in BA9, BA22, or BA24. The binding of repressive MeCP2 and histone H3K9me3 to L1 sequences was significantly lower in autism cerebellum suggesting that relaxation of epigenetic repression may have contributed to increased expression. Further, the increase in L1 expression was inversely correlated with glutathione redox status consistent with reports indicating that L1 expression is increased under pro-oxidant conditions. Finally, the expression of transcription factor FOXO3, sensor of oxidative stress, was significantly increased and positively associated with L1 expression and negatively associated with glutathione redox status. While these novel results are an important first step, future understanding of the contribution of elevated L1 expression to neuronal CNVs and genomic instability in autism will depend on emerging cell-specific genomic technologies, a challenge that warrants future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana Shpyleva
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Oleksandra Pavliv
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Igor Pogribny
- National Center for Toxicological Research, Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA
| | - S Jill James
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA.
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70
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Morales-Suárez-Varela M, Peraita-Costa I, Llopis-González A. Systematic review of the association between particulate matter exposure and autism spectrum disorders. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 153:150-160. [PMID: 27984759 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) as an environmental pollutant is suspected to be associated with autism spectrum disorders. The aim of the present study was to review the epidemiological literature currently available on the relation between PM exposure and diagnosis of ASD. The PubMed database was searched from November 2015 up to January 2016 by one of the authors. We included observational studies (cohort and case-control studies) published in English carried out in children within the last 10 years, measuring PM exposure and health outcomes related to ASD. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four of the studies found no association between PM exposure and ASD. The other 8 studies show positive associations restricted to specific exposure windows which however do not reach statistical significance at times. To conclude, the evidence from the studies allows us to conclude that there is an association between PM exposure and ASD whose strength varies according to the particle size studied with the association with PM2.5 and diesel PM being stronger. Given the potential importance for public health, cohort studies with proper adjustment for confounding variables and identification of critical windows of exposure are urgently needed to further improve knowledge about potential causal links between PM exposure and the development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Morales-Suárez-Varela
- Unit of Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Center for Advanced Research in Public Health (CSISP-FISABIO), 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Isabel Peraita-Costa
- Unit of Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Agustín Llopis-González
- Unit of Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Center for Advanced Research in Public Health (CSISP-FISABIO), 46010 Valencia, Spain
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71
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Kern JK, Geier DA, Sykes LK, Haley BE, Geier MR. The relationship between mercury and autism: A comprehensive review and discussion. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2016; 37:8-24. [PMID: 27473827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The brain pathology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicates marked and ongoing inflammatory reactivity with concomitant neuronal damage. These findings are suggestive of neuronal insult as a result of external factors, rather than some type of developmental mishap. Various xenobiotics have been suggested as possible causes of this pathology. In a recent review, the top ten environmental compounds suspected of causing autism and learning disabilities were listed and they included: lead, methyl-mercury, polychorinated biphenyls, organophosphate pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, endocrine disruptors, automotive exhaust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds. This current review, however, will focus specifically on mercury exposure and ASD by conducting a comprehensive literature search of original studies in humans that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD, categorizing, summarizing, and discussing the published research that addresses this topic. This review found 91 studies that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD from 1999 to February 2016. Of these studies, the vast majority (74%) suggest that mercury is a risk factor for ASD, revealing both direct and indirect effects. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that mercury exposure is causal and/or contributory in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet K Kern
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA; Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway; CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA.
| | - David A Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA; CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA
| | - Lisa K Sykes
- CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA
| | - Boyd E Haley
- University of Kentucky, 410 Administration Drive, Lexington, KY, 40506 USA
| | - Mark R Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA; CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 USA
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72
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Frye RE, Rossignol DA. Identification and Treatment of Pathophysiological Comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to Achieve Optimal Outcomes. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-PEDIATRICS 2016; 10:43-56. [PMID: 27330338 PMCID: PMC4910649 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s38337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, no effective medical treatments have become standard of care. In this paper we review some of the pathophysiological abnormalities associated with ASD and their potential associated treatments. Overall, there is evidence for some children with ASD being affected by seizure and epilepsy, neurotransmitter dysfunction, sleep disorders, metabolic abnormalities, including abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, redox and mitochondrial metabolism, and immune and gastrointestinal disorders. Although evidence for an association between these pathophysiological abnormalities and ASD exists, the exact relationship to the etiology of ASD and its associated symptoms remains to be further defined in many cases. Despite these limitations, treatments targeting some of these pathophysiological abnormalities have been studied in some cases with high-quality studies, whereas treatments for other pathophysiological abnormalities have not been well studied in many cases. There are some areas of more promising treatments specific for ASD including neurotransmitter abnormalities, particularly imbalances in glutamate and acetylcholine, sleep onset disorder (with behavioral therapy and melatonin), and metabolic abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, and redox pathways. There is some evidence for treatments of epilepsy and seizures, mitochondrial and immune disorders, and gastrointestinal abnormalities, particularly imbalances in the enteric microbiome, but further clinical studies are needed in these areas to better define treatments specific to children with ASD. Clearly, there are some promising areas of ASD research that could lead to novel treatments that could become standard of care in the future, but more research is needed to better define subgroups of children with ASD who are affected by specific pathophysiological abnormalities and the optimal treatments for these abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.; Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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73
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Frye RE, Casanova MF, Fatemi SH, Folsom TD, Reutiman TJ, Brown GL, Edelson SM, Slattery JC, Adams JB. Neuropathological Mechanisms of Seizures in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:192. [PMID: 27242398 PMCID: PMC4861974 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This manuscript reviews biological abnormalities shared by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy. Two neuropathological findings are shared by ASD and epilepsy: abnormalities in minicolumn architecture and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. The peripheral neuropil, which is the region that contains the inhibition circuits of the minicolumns, has been found to be decreased in the post-mortem ASD brain. ASD and epilepsy are associated with inhibitory GABA neurotransmission abnormalities including reduced GABAA and GABAB subunit expression. These abnormalities can elevate the excitation-to-inhibition balance, resulting in hyperexcitablity of the cortex and, in turn, increase the risk of seizures. Medical abnormalities associated with both epilepsy and ASD are discussed. These include specific genetic syndromes, specific metabolic disorders including disorders of energy metabolism and GABA and glutamate neurotransmission, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, heavy metal exposures and immune dysfunction. Many of these medical abnormalities can result in an elevation of the excitatory-to-inhibitory balance. Fragile X is linked to dysfunction of the mGluR5 receptor and Fragile X, Angelman and Rett syndromes are linked to a reduction in GABAA receptor expression. Defects in energy metabolism can reduce GABA interneuron function. Both pyridoxine dependent seizures and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency cause GABA deficiencies while urea cycle defects and phenylketonuria cause abnormalities in glutamate neurotransmission. Mineral deficiencies can cause glutamate and GABA neurotransmission abnormalities and heavy metals can cause mitochondrial dysfunction which disrupts GABA metabolism. Thus, both ASD and epilepsy are associated with similar abnormalities that may alter the excitatory-to-inhibitory balance of the cortex. These parallels may explain the high prevalence of epilepsy in ASD and the elevated prevalence of ASD features in individuals with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock, AR, USA
| | - Manuel F Casanova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville Greenville, SC, USA
| | - S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Teri J Reutiman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | - John C Slattery
- Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock, AR, USA
| | - James B Adams
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
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74
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Wink LK, Adams R, Wang Z, Klaunig JE, Plawecki MH, Posey DJ, McDougle CJ, Erickson CA. A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of N-acetylcysteine in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2016; 7:26. [PMID: 27103982 PMCID: PMC4839099 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0088-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social impairment is a defining feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with no demonstrated effective pharmacologic treatments. The goal of this study was to evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant whose function overlaps with proposed mechanisms of ASD pathophysiology, targeting core social impairment in youth with ASD. METHODS This study was a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral NAC in youth with ASD. Study participants were medically healthy youth age 4 to 12 years with ASD, weighing ≥15 kg, and judged to be moderately ill based on the Clinical Global Impressions Severity scale. The participants were randomized via computer to active drug or placebo in a 1:1 ratio, with the target dose of NAC being 60 mg/kg/day in three divided doses. The primary outcome measure of efficacy was the Clinical Global Impressions Improvement (CGI-I) scale anchored to core social impairment. To investigate the impact of NAC on oxidative stress markers in peripheral blood, venous blood samples were collected at screen and week 12. RESULTS Thirty-one patients were enrolled (NAC = 16, placebo = 15). Three participants were lost to follow-up, and three left the trial due to adverse effects. The average daily dose of NAC at week 12 was 56.2 mg/kg (SD = 9.7) with dose ranging from 33.6 to 64.3 mg/kg. The frequency of adverse events was so low that comparisons between groups could not be conducted. At week 12, there was no statistically significant difference between the NAC and placebo groups on the CGI-I (p > 0.69) but the glutathione (GSH) level in blood was significantly higher in the NAC group (p < 0.05). The oxidative glutathione disulfide (GSSG) level increased in the NAC group, however only at a trend level of significance (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference between the NAC and placebo groups in the GSH/GSSG ratio, DNA strand break and oxidative damage, and blood homocysteine levels at week 12 (ps > 0.16). CONCLUSIONS The results of this trial indicate that NAC treatment was well tolerated, had the expected effect of boosting GSH production, but had no significant impact on social impairment in youth with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00453180.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan K. Wink
- />Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Ryan Adams
- />Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Zemin Wang
- />Investigative Toxicology and Pathology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA
| | - James E. Klaunig
- />Investigative Toxicology and Pathology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA
| | - Martin H. Plawecki
- />Department of Psychiatry, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | | | - Christopher J. McDougle
- />Lurie Center for Autism, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- />Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
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75
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Sasagawa S, Nishimura Y, Koiwa J, Nomoto T, Shintou T, Murakami S, Yuge M, Kawaguchi K, Kawase R, Miyazaki T, Tanaka T. In Vivo Detection of Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Clinical Drugs and Disease-Associated Genes Using a Novel Dye ZMJ214 in Zebrafish. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:381-8. [PMID: 26630578 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in various drug-induced toxicities and genetic disorders. Recently, the zebrafish has emerged as a versatile animal model for both chemical and genetic screenings. Taking advantage of its transparency, various in vivo fluorescent imaging methods have been developed to identify novel functions of chemicals and genes in zebrafish. However, there have not been fluorescent probes that can detect mitochondrial membrane potential in living zebrafish. In this study, we identified a novel cyanine dye called ZMJ214 that detects mitochondrial membrane potential in living zebrafish from 4 to 8 days post fertilization and is administered by simple immersion. The fluorescence intensity of ZMJ214 in zebrafish was increased and decreased by oligomycin and FCCP, respectively, suggesting a positive correlation between ZMJ214 fluorescence and mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo imaging of zebrafish stained with ZMJ214 allowed for the detection of altered mitochondrial membrane potential induced by the antidiabetic drug troglitazone and the antiepileptic drug tolcapone, both of which have been withdrawn from the market due to mitochondrial toxicity. In contrast, pioglitazone and entacapone, which are similar to troglitazone and tolcapone, respectively, and have been used commercially, did not cause a change in mitochondrial membrane potential in zebrafish stained with ZMJ214. Live imaging of zebrafish stained with ZMJ214 also revealed that knock-down of slc25a12, a mitochondrial carrier protein associated with autism, dysregulated the mitochondrial membrane potential. These results suggest that ZMJ214 can be a useful tool to identify chemicals and genes that cause mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Sasagawa
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yuhei Nishimura
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Depertment of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Department of Omics
Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation Institute, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Junko Koiwa
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nomoto
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc., Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Taichi Shintou
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc., Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Soichiro Murakami
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Mizuki Yuge
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Koki Kawaguchi
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Reiko Kawase
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Takeshi Miyazaki
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc., Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Toshio Tanaka
- Department of Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharamacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Depertment of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Department of Omics
Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation Institute, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
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76
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Lindberg D, Shan D, Ayers-Ringler J, Oliveros A, Benitez J, Prieto M, McCullumsmith R, Choi DS. Purinergic signaling and energy homeostasis in psychiatric disorders. Curr Mol Med 2016; 15:275-95. [PMID: 25950756 DOI: 10.2174/1566524015666150330163724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Purinergic signaling regulates numerous vital biological processes in the central nervous system (CNS). The two principle purines, ATP and adenosine act as excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, respectively. Compared to other classical neurotransmitters, the role of purinergic signaling in psychiatric disorders is not well understood or appreciated. Because ATP exerts its main effect on energy homeostasis, neuronal function of ATP has been underestimated. Similarly, adenosine is primarily appreciated as a precursor of nucleotide synthesis during active cell growth and division. However, recent findings suggest that purinergic signaling may explain how neuronal activity is associated neuronal energy charge and energy homeostasis, especially in mental disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of the synaptic function of mitochondria and purines in neuromodulation, synaptic plasticity, and neuron-glia interactions. We summarize how mitochondrial and purinergic dysfunction contribute to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, and addiction. Finally, we discuss future implications regarding the pharmacological targeting of mitochondrial and purinergic function for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - D-S Choi
- Neurobiology of Disease Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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77
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Kanduri C, Kantojärvi K, Salo PM, Vanhala R, Buck G, Blancher C, Lähdesmäki H, Järvelä I. The landscape of copy number variations in Finnish families with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res 2015; 9:9-16. [PMID: 26052927 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rare de novo and inherited copy number variations (CNVs) have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, the genetic underpinnings of ASD remain unknown in more than 80% of cases. Therefore, identification of novel candidate genes and corroboration of known candidate genes may broaden the horizons of determining genetic risk alleles, and subsequent development of diagnostic testing. Here, using genotyping arrays, we characterized the genetic architecture of rare CNVs (<1% frequency) in a Finnish case-control dataset. Unsurprisingly, ASD cases harbored a significant excess of rare, large (>1 Mb) CNVs and rare, exonic CNVs. The exonic rare de novo CNV rate (∼22.5%) seemed higher compared to previous reports. We identified several CNVs in well-known ASD regions including GSTM1-5, DISC1, FHIT, RBFOX1, CHRNA7, 15q11.2, 15q13.2-q13.3, 17q12, and 22q11.21. Additionally, several novel candidate genes (BDKRB1, BDKRB2, AP2M1, SPTA1, PTH1R, CYP2E1, PLCD3, F2RL1, UQCRC2, LILRB3, RPS9, and COL11A2) were identified through gene prioritization. The majority of these genes belong to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways, and calcium signaling pathways, thus suggesting that a subset of these novel candidate genes may contribute to ASD risk. Furthermore, several metabolic pathways like caffeine metabolism, drug metabolism, retinol metabolism, and calcium-signaling pathway were found to be affected by the rare exonic ASD CNVs. Additionally, biological processes such as bradykinin receptor activity, endoderm formation and development, and oxidoreductase activity were enriched among the rare exonic ASD CNVs. Overall, our findings may add data about new genes and pathways that contribute to the genetic architecture of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chakravarthi Kanduri
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Kantojärvi
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula M Salo
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raija Vanhala
- Hospital of Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki
| | - Gemma Buck
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosewelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN
| | - Christine Blancher
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosewelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN
| | - Harri Lähdesmäki
- Department of Information and Computer Science, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Irma Järvelä
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
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78
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Seshadri S, Mroczkowska S, Qin L, Patel S, Ekart A, Gherghel D. Systemic circulatory influences on retinal microvascular function in middle-age individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular risk. Acta Ophthalmol 2015; 93:e266-74. [PMID: 25487686 DOI: 10.1111/aos.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between retinal microvascular reactivity, circulatory markers for CVD risk and systemic antioxidative defence capacity in healthy middle-aged individuals with low to moderate risk of CVD. METHODS Retinal vascular reactivity to flickering light was assessed in 102 healthy participants (46-60 years) by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DVA). Other vascular assessments included carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and blood glutathione levels in its reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms were also determined for each participant, along with Framingham risk scores (FRS). RESULTS Retinal arterial baseline diameter fluctuation (BDF) was independently, significantly and negatively influenced by LDL-C levels (β = -0.53, p = 0.027). Moreover, the arterial dilation slope (SlopeAD ) was independently, significantly and positively associated with redox index (GSH: GSSG ratio, β = 0.28, p = 0.016), while the arterial constriction slope (SlopeAC ) was significantly and negatively influenced by blood GSH levels (β = -0.20, p = 0.042), and positively associated with FRS (β = 0.25, p = 0.009). Venous BDF and dilation amplitude (DA) were also negatively influenced by plasma LDL-C levels (β = -0.83, p = 0.013; and β = -0.22, p = 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In otherwise healthy individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular risk, retinal microvascular dilation and constriction responses to stress levels are influenced by systemic antioxidant capacity, and circulating markers for cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Seshadri
- Vascular Research Laboratory; Ophthalmic Research Group; School of Life and Health Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
| | - Stephanie Mroczkowska
- Vascular Research Laboratory; Ophthalmic Research Group; School of Life and Health Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
| | - Lu Qin
- Vascular Research Laboratory; Ophthalmic Research Group; School of Life and Health Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
| | - Sunni Patel
- Vascular Research Laboratory; Ophthalmic Research Group; School of Life and Health Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
| | - Aniko Ekart
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
| | - Doina Gherghel
- Vascular Research Laboratory; Ophthalmic Research Group; School of Life and Health Sciences; Aston University; Birmingham UK
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79
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MacFabe DF. Enteric short-chain fatty acids: microbial messengers of metabolism, mitochondria, and mind: implications in autism spectrum disorders. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2015; 26:28177. [PMID: 26031685 PMCID: PMC4451098 DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v26.28177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Clinical observations suggest that gut and dietary factors transiently worsen and, in some cases, appear to improve behavioral symptoms in a subset of persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the reason for this is unclear. Emerging evidence suggests ASDs are a family of systemic disorders of altered immunity, metabolism, and gene expression. Pre- or perinatal infection, hospitalization, or early antibiotic exposure, which may alter gut microbiota, have been suggested as potential risk factors for ASD. Can a common environmental agent link these disparate findings? This review outlines basic science and clinical evidence that enteric short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), present in diet and also produced by opportunistic gut bacteria following fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, may be environmental triggers in ASD. Of note, propionic acid, a major SCFA produced by ASD-associated gastrointestinal bacteria (clostridia, bacteroides, desulfovibrio) and also a common food preservative, can produce reversible behavioral, electrographic, neuroinflammatory, metabolic, and epigenetic changes closely resembling those found in ASD when administered to rodents. Major effects of these SCFAs may be through the alteration of mitochondrial function via the citric acid cycle and carnitine metabolism, or the epigenetic modulation of ASD-associated genes, which may be useful clinical biomarkers. It discusses the hypothesis that ASDs are produced by pre- or post-natal alterations in intestinal microbiota in sensitive sub-populations, which may have major implications in ASD cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick F MacFabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Departments of Psychology (Neuroscience) and Psychiatry, Division of Developmental Disabilities, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada;
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80
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GUT in FOCUS Symposium NOBEL FORUM, Karolinska Institutet, February 2nd 2015. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2015; 26:28480. [PMID: 26031687 PMCID: PMC4451120 DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v26.28480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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81
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Clinical trials of N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry and neurology: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 55:294-321. [PMID: 25957927 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is recognized for its role in acetaminophen overdose and as a mucolytic. Over the past decade, there has been growing evidence for the use of NAC in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders, considering its role in attenuating pathophysiological processes associated with these disorders, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation and glutamate and dopamine dysregulation. In this systematic review we find favorable evidence for the use of NAC in several psychiatric and neurological disorders, particularly autism, Alzheimer's disease, cocaine and cannabis addiction, bipolar disorder, depression, trichotillomania, nail biting, skin picking, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, drug-induced neuropathy and progressive myoclonic epilepsy. Disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mild traumatic brain injury have preliminary evidence and require larger confirmatory studies while current evidence does not support the use of NAC in gambling, methamphetamine and nicotine addictions and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Overall, NAC treatment appears to be safe and tolerable. Further well designed, larger controlled trials are needed for specific psychiatric and neurological disorders where the evidence is favorable.
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82
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Geier DA, King PG, Hooker BS, Dórea JG, Kern JK, Sykes LK, Geier MR. Thimerosal: Clinical, epidemiologic and biochemical studies. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 444:212-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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83
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Oxidative stress induces mitochondrial dysfunction in a subset of autistic lymphoblastoid cell lines. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e526. [PMID: 25756809 PMCID: PMC4354357 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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84
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Increased susceptibility to ethylmercury-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in a subset of autism lymphoblastoid cell lines. J Toxicol 2015; 2015:573701. [PMID: 25688267 PMCID: PMC4320799 DOI: 10.1155/2015/573701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of autism spectrum disorders with oxidative stress, redox imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction has become increasingly recognized. In this study, extracellular flux analysis was used to compare mitochondrial respiration in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from individuals with autism and unaffected controls exposed to ethylmercury, an environmental toxin known to deplete glutathione and induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also tested whether pretreating the autism LCLs with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to increase glutathione concentrations conferred protection from ethylmercury. Examination of 16 autism/control LCL pairs revealed that a subgroup (31%) of autism LCLs exhibited a greater reduction in ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiratory capacity, and reserve capacity when exposed to ethylmercury, compared to control LCLs. These respiratory parameters were significantly elevated at baseline in the ethylmercury-sensitive autism subgroup as compared to control LCLs. NAC pretreatment of the sensitive subgroup reduced (normalized) baseline respiratory parameters and blunted the exaggerated ethylmercury-induced reserve capacity depletion. These findings suggest that the epidemiological link between environmental mercury exposure and an increased risk of developing autism may be mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction and support the notion that a subset of individuals with autism may be vulnerable to environmental influences with detrimental effects on development through mitochondrial dysfunction.
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85
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E. Abdel-Salam OM, Youness ER, Mohammed NA, Elhamed WAA. Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and Other Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Serum of Autistic Children. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.4236/ojmip.2015.51002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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86
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N-Acetylcysteine as an Adjunctive Therapy to Risperidone for Treatment of Irritability in Autism. Clin Neuropharmacol 2015; 38:11-7. [DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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87
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Cerebellar oxidative DNA damage and altered DNA methylation in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model of autism and similarities with human post mortem cerebellum. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113712. [PMID: 25423485 PMCID: PMC4244134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of autism is complex and involves numerous genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolic, and physiological alterations. Elucidating and understanding the molecular processes underlying the pathogenesis of autism is critical for effective clinical management and prevention of this disorder. The goal of this study is to investigate key molecular alterations postulated to play a role in autism and their role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study we demonstrate that DNA isolated from the cerebellum of BTBR T+tf/J mice, a relevant mouse model of autism, and from human post-mortem cerebellum of individuals with autism, are both characterized by an increased levels of 8-oxo-7-hydrodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 5-methylcytosine (5mC), and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). The increase in 8-oxodG and 5mC content was associated with a markedly reduced expression of the 8-oxoguanine DNA-glycosylase 1 (Ogg1) and increased expression of de novo DNA methyltransferases 3a and 3b (Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b). Interestingly, a rise in the level of 5hmC occurred without changes in the expression of ten-eleven translocation expression 1 (Tet1) and Tet2 genes, but significantly correlated with the presence of 8-oxodG in DNA. This finding and similar elevation in 8-oxodG in cerebellum of individuals with autism and in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model warrant future large-scale studies to specifically address the role of OGG1 alterations in pathogenesis of autism.
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88
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Frye RE, James SJ. Metabolic pathology of autism in relation to redox metabolism. Biomark Med 2014; 8:321-30. [PMID: 24712422 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.13.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An imbalance in glutathione-dependent redox metabolism has been shown to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Glutathione synthesis and intracellular redox balance are linked to folate and methylation metabolism, metabolic pathways that have also been shown to be abnormal in ASD. Together, these metabolic abnormalities define a distinct ASD endophenotype that is closely associated with genetic, epigenetic and mitochondrial abnormalities, as well as environmental factors related to ASD. Biomarkers that reflect these metabolic abnormalities will be discussed in the context of an ASD metabolic endophenotype that may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying core and associated ASD symptoms. Last, we discuss how these biomarkers have been used to guide the development of novel ASD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Slot 512-41B, 13 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
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89
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Contribution of Oxidative Stress to the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Impact of Genetic and Environmental Factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0440-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
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90
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Kaur K, Chauhan V, Gu F, Chauhan A. Bisphenol A induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in lymphoblasts from children with autism and unaffected siblings. Free Radic Biol Med 2014; 76:25-33. [PMID: 25101517 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Although there is no single identifiable cause for autism, roles for genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in autism. Extensive evidence suggests increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in autism. In this study, we examined whether bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental risk factor for autism by studying its effects on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the lymphoblasts. When lymphoblastoid cells from autistic subjects and age-matched unaffected sibling controls were exposed to BPA, there was an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in both groups. A further subdivision of the control group into two subgroups-unaffected nontwin siblings and twin siblings-showed significantly higher ROS levels without any exposure to BPA in the unaffected twin siblings compared to the unaffected nontwin siblings. ROS levels were also significantly higher in the autism vs the unaffected nontwin siblings group. The effect of BPA on three important mtDNA genes-NADH dehydrogenase 1, NADH dehydrogenase 4, and cytochrome b-was analyzed to observe any changes in the mitochondria after BPA exposure. BPA induced a significant increase in the mtDNA copy number in the lymphoblasts from the unaffected siblings group and in the unaffected twin siblings group vs the unaffected nontwin siblings. In all three genes, the mtDNA increase was seen in 70% of the subjects. These results suggest that BPA exposure results in increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the autistic subjects as well as the age-matched sibling control subjects, particularly unaffected twin siblings. Therefore, BPA may act as an environmental risk factor for autism in genetically susceptible children by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulbir Kaur
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; Biology/Neuroscience Graduate Program, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Ved Chauhan
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Feng Gu
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Abha Chauhan
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
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91
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by both impaired communication and social interaction, and by stereotypic behavior, affects about 1 in 68, predominantly males. The medico-economic burdens of ASD are enormous, and no recognized treatment targets the core features of ASD. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial, young men (aged 13-27) with moderate to severe ASD received the phytochemical sulforaphane (n = 29)--derived from broccoli sprout extracts--or indistinguishable placebo (n = 15). The effects on behavior of daily oral doses of sulforaphane (50-150 µmol) for 18 wk, followed by 4 wk without treatment, were quantified by three widely accepted behavioral measures completed by parents/caregivers and physicians: the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Initial scores for ABC and SRS were closely matched for participants assigned to placebo and sulforaphane. After 18 wk, participants receiving placebo experienced minimal change (<3.3%), whereas those receiving sulforaphane showed substantial declines (improvement of behavior): 34% for ABC (P < 0.001, comparing treatments) and 17% for SRS scores (P = 0.017). On CGI-I, a significantly greater number of participants receiving sulforaphane had improvement in social interaction, abnormal behavior, and verbal communication (P = 0.015-0.007). Upon discontinuation of sulforaphane, total scores on all scales rose toward pretreatment levels. Dietary sulforaphane, of recognized low toxicity, was selected for its capacity to reverse abnormalities that have been associated with ASD, including oxidative stress and lower antioxidant capacity, depressed glutathione synthesis, reduced mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation, increased lipid peroxidation, and neuroinflammmation.
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92
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Aluminum-induced entropy in biological systems: implications for neurological disease. J Toxicol 2014; 2014:491316. [PMID: 25349607 PMCID: PMC4202242 DOI: 10.1155/2014/491316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 200 years, mining, smelting, and refining of aluminum (Al) in various forms have increasingly exposed living species to this naturally abundant metal. Because of its prevalence in the earth's crust, prior to its recent uses it was regarded as inert and therefore harmless. However, Al is invariably toxic to living systems and has no known beneficial role in any biological systems. Humans are increasingly exposed to Al from food, water, medicinals, vaccines, and cosmetics, as well as from industrial occupational exposure. Al disrupts biological self-ordering, energy transduction, and signaling systems, thus increasing biosemiotic entropy. Beginning with the biophysics of water, disruption progresses through the macromolecules that are crucial to living processes (DNAs, RNAs, proteoglycans, and proteins). It injures cells, circuits, and subsystems and can cause catastrophic failures ending in death. Al forms toxic complexes with other elements, such as fluorine, and interacts negatively with mercury, lead, and glyphosate. Al negatively impacts the central nervous system in all species that have been studied, including humans. Because of the global impacts of Al on water dynamics and biosemiotic systems, CNS disorders in humans are sensitive indicators of the Al toxicants to which we are being exposed.
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93
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Nevison CD. A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors. Environ Health 2014; 13:73. [PMID: 25189402 PMCID: PMC4177682 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-13-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of diagnosed autism has increased rapidly over the last several decades among U.S. children. Environmental factors are thought to be driving this increase and a list of the top ten suspected environmental toxins was published recently. METHODS Temporal trends in autism for birth years 1970-2005 were derived from a combination of data from the California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) and the United States Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Temporal trends in suspected toxins were derived from data compiled during an extensive literature survey. Toxin and autism trends were compared by visual inspection and computed correlation coefficients. Using IDEA data, autism prevalence vs. birth year trends were calculated independently from snapshots of data from the most recent annual report, and by tracking prevalence at a constant age over many years of reports. The ratio of the snapshot:tracking trend slopes was used to estimate the "real" fraction of the increase in autism. RESULTS The CDDS and IDEA data sets are qualitatively consistent in suggesting a strong increase in autism prevalence over recent decades. The quantitative comparison of IDEA snapshot and constant-age tracking trend slopes suggests that ~75-80% of the tracked increase in autism since 1988 is due to an actual increase in the disorder rather than to changing diagnostic criteria. Most of the suspected environmental toxins examined have flat or decreasing temporal trends that correlate poorly to the rise in autism. Some, including lead, organochlorine pesticides and vehicular emissions, have strongly decreasing trends. Among the suspected toxins surveyed, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, aluminum adjuvants, and the herbicide glyphosate have increasing trends that correlate positively to the rise in autism. CONCLUSIONS Diagnosed autism prevalence has risen dramatically in the U.S over the last several decades and continued to trend upward as of birth year 2005. The increase is mainly real and has occurred mostly since the late 1980s. In contrast, children's exposure to most of the top ten toxic compounds has remained flat or decreased over this same time frame. Environmental factors with increasing temporal trends can help suggest hypotheses for drivers of autism that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia D Nevison
- Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0450, USA.
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94
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Nankova BB, Agarwal R, MacFabe DF, La Gamma EF. Enteric bacterial metabolites propionic and butyric acid modulate gene expression, including CREB-dependent catecholaminergic neurotransmission, in PC12 cells--possible relevance to autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103740. [PMID: 25170769 PMCID: PMC4149359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in gut microbiome composition have an emerging role in health and disease including brain function and behavior. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) like propionic (PPA), and butyric acid (BA), which are present in diet and are fermentation products of many gastrointestinal bacteria, are showing increasing importance in host health, but also may be environmental contributors in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Further to this we have shown SCFA administration to rodents over a variety of routes (intracerebroventricular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal) or developmental time periods can elicit behavioral, electrophysiological, neuropathological and biochemical effects consistent with findings in ASD patients. SCFA are capable of altering host gene expression, partly due to their histone deacetylase inhibitor activity. We have previously shown BA can regulate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels in a PC12 cell model. Since monoamine concentration is known to be elevated in the brain and blood of ASD patients and in many ASD animal models, we hypothesized that SCFA may directly influence brain monoaminergic pathways. When PC12 cells were transiently transfected with plasmids having a luciferase reporter gene under the control of the TH promoter, PPA was found to induce reporter gene activity over a wide concentration range. CREB transcription factor(s) was necessary for the transcriptional activation of TH gene by PPA. At lower concentrations PPA also caused accumulation of TH mRNA and protein, indicative of increased cell capacity to produce catecholamines. PPA and BA induced broad alterations in gene expression including neurotransmitter systems, neuronal cell adhesion molecules, inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function, all of which have been implicated in ASD. In conclusion, our data are consistent with a molecular mechanism through which gut related environmental signals such as increased levels of SCFA's can epigenetically modulate cell function further supporting their role as environmental contributors to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bistra B. Nankova
- New York Medical College, Department of Pediatrics/Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Raj Agarwal
- New York Medical College, Department of Pediatrics/Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Derrick F. MacFabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Departments of Psychology (Neuroscience) and Psychiatry, Division of Developmental Disabilities, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edmund F. La Gamma
- New York Medical College, Department of Pediatrics/Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
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95
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ma J, Bressler J, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Dickerson AS, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E. Role of metabolic genes in blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:7874-95. [PMID: 25101770 PMCID: PMC4143838 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110807874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid with known adverse effects on human health. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTM1, play a major role in detoxification and metabolism of xenobiotics. We investigated the association between GST genotypes and whole blood arsenic concentrations (BASC) in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used data from 100 ASD cases and their 1:1 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls (age 2-8 years) from Jamaica. Using log-transformed BASC as the dependent variable in a General Linear Model, we observed a significant interaction between GSTP1 and ASD case status while controlling for several confounding variables. However, for GSTT1 and GSTM1 we did not observe any significant associations with BASC. Our findings indicate that TD children who had the Ile/Ile or Ile/Val genotype for GSTP1 had a significantly higher geometric mean BASC than those with genotype Val/Val (3.67 µg/L vs. 2.69 µg/L, p < 0.01). Although, among the ASD cases, this difference was not statistically significant, the direction of the observed difference was consistent with that of the TD control children. These findings suggest a possible role of GSTP1 in the detoxification of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Jianzhong Ma
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
| | - Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Aisha S Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Megan L Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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96
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The Role of Heavy Metal Pollution in Neurobehavioral Disorders: a Focus on Autism. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-014-0028-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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97
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Redox imbalance and morphological changes in skin fibroblasts in typical Rett syndrome. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2014; 2014:195935. [PMID: 24987493 PMCID: PMC4060159 DOI: 10.1155/2014/195935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of oxidative stress has been reported in the blood of patients with Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder mainly caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. Little is known regarding the redox status in RTT cellular systems and its relationship with the morphological phenotype. In RTT patients (n = 16) we investigated four different oxidative stress markers, F2-Isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), F4-Neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs), nonprotein bound iron (NPBI), and (4-HNE PAs), and glutathione in one of the most accessible cells, that is, skin fibroblasts, and searched for possible changes in cellular/intracellular structure and qualitative modifications of synthesized collagen. Significantly increased F4-NeuroPs (12-folds), F2-IsoPs (7.5-folds) NPBI (2.3-folds), 4-HNE PAs (1.48-folds), and GSSG (1.44-folds) were detected, with significantly decreased GSH (-43.6%) and GSH/GSSG ratio (-3.05 folds). A marked dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, associated with several cytoplasmic multilamellar bodies, was detectable in RTT fibroblasts. Colocalization of collagen I and collagen III, as well as the percentage of type I collagen as derived by semiquantitative immunofluorescence staining analyses, appears to be significantly reduced in RTT cells. Our findings indicate the presence of a redox imbalance and previously unrecognized morphological skin fibroblast abnormalities in RTT patients.
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98
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Sentellas S, Morales-Ibanez O, Zanuy M, Albertí JJ. GSSG/GSH ratios in cryopreserved rat and human hepatocytes as a biomarker for drug induced oxidative stress. Toxicol In Vitro 2014; 28:1006-15. [PMID: 24809893 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2014.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) could cause cellular damage and eventually lead to apoptosis and necrosis. The ratio between oxidized glutathione and reduced glutathione (GSSG-to-GSH ratio) has been used as an important in vitro and in vivo biomarker of the redox balance in the cell and consequently of cellular oxidative stress. This paper optimizes a LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of GSH and GSSG. The proposed method is based on the derivatization of reduced GSH using iodoacetic acid (IAA) in order to prevent its rapid oxidation to GSSG during sample preparation. The optimized analytical method was applied to evaluate the effect of different pharmaceutical agents on GSSG-to-GSH ratio in cryopreserved rat and human hepatocytes in culture. Hepatocyte viabilities were also determined at the same time by using the WST-1 assay as a direct measurement of cell mitochondrial respiration. The results obtained demonstrate that cryopreserved rat and human hepatocytes in culture are reliable in vitro models for the evaluation of cellular oxidative stress. In addition, the GSSG-to-GSH ratio measurements could be a biomarker of hepatotoxicity providing similar results to those of cytotoxicity assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Sentellas
- Preclinical Development, Almirall, S.A, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Oriol Morales-Ibanez
- Preclinical Development, Almirall, S.A, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Zanuy
- Preclinical Development, Almirall, S.A, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan J Albertí
- Preclinical Development, Almirall, S.A, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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99
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Napoli E, Wong S, Hertz-Picciotto I, Giulivi C. Deficits in bioenergetics and impaired immune response in granulocytes from children with autism. Pediatrics 2014; 133:e1405-10. [PMID: 24753527 PMCID: PMC4006429 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-1545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the emerging role of mitochondria in immunity, a link between bioenergetics and the immune response in autism has not been explored. Mitochondrial outcomes and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced oxidative burst were evaluated in granulocytes from age-, race-, and gender-matched children with autism with severity scores of ≥7 (n = 10) and in typically developing (TD) children (n = 10). The oxidative phosphorylation capacity of granulocytes was 3-fold lower in children with autism than in TD children, with multiple deficits encompassing ≥1 Complexes. Higher oxidative stress in cells of children with autism was evidenced by higher rates of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production (1.6-fold), higher mitochondrial DNA copy number per cell (1.5-fold), and increased deletions. Mitochondrial dysfunction in children with autism was accompanied by a lower (26% of TD children) oxidative burst by PMA-stimulated reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and by a lower gene expression (45% of TD children's mean values) of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 transcription factor involved in the antioxidant response. Given that the majority of granulocytes of children with autism exhibited defects in oxidative phosphorylation, immune response, and antioxidant defense, our results support the concept that immunity and response to oxidative stress may be regulated by basic mitochondrial functions as part of an integrated metabolic network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Sarah Wong
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, and,Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M. I. N. D.) Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis California
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M. I. N. D.) Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis California
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100
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Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Evidence linking oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in the brain of individuals with autism. Front Physiol 2014; 5:150. [PMID: 24795645 PMCID: PMC4001006 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are defined solely on the basis of behavioral observations. Therefore, ASD has traditionally been framed as a behavioral disorder. However, evidence is accumulating that ASD is characterized by certain physiological abnormalities, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation/inflammation. While these abnormalities have been reported in studies that have examined peripheral biomarkers such as blood and urine, more recent studies have also reported these abnormalities in brain tissue derived from individuals diagnosed with ASD as compared to brain tissue derived from control individuals. A majority of these brain tissue studies have been published since 2010. The brain regions found to contain these physiological abnormalities in individuals with ASD are involved in speech and auditory processing, social behavior, memory, and sensory and motor coordination. This manuscript examines the evidence linking oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation/inflammation in the brain of ASD individuals, suggesting that ASD has a clear biological basis with features of known medical disorders. This understanding may lead to new testing and treatment strategies in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard E Frye
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR, USA
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