Galactose effects on enterocyte differentiation in the mouse jejunum

The opioid excess theory in autism spectrum disorders - is it worth investigating further?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined as neurodevelopmental disorders, which are highly variable in nature and do not form a uniform picture, either in terms of symptomatology or depth of the disturbance. Diagnosis of ASD is made for children who show signs of impairment in social interaction, communication and cognitive skills. The exact cause of autism spectrum disorders has not been determined to date. Although there is no cure for ASD, a variety interventions have been proposed. The most commonly used restrictive dietary intervention is the gluten-free casein-free diet (GFCF), which is based on the opioid excess theory. This paper summarizes and discusses research on the core elements of the opioid excess theory in ASD: increased levels of opioid peptides in body fluids in ASD patients, increased intestinal permeability, altered peptidase activity and the effectiveness of GFCF diet in alleviating symptoms of ASD. Furthermore, we discuss the difficulties and their causes in conducting research with ASD patients. The assumptions of the opioid excess theory have neither been definitively confirmed nor disproved. Research in this area should continue, taking into account the highest possible quality standards and the specific needs and abilities of patients with ASD and their families.

Enzyme-based therapy for autism spectrum disorders -- is it worth another look?

Autism is a developmental disease usually manifesting within the first three years of life. To date, no causative agent has been found. Similarly, treatment options have been limited. Of the treatment options available, a number of them have been nutritionally based in an attempt to address one or more of the theories regarding the etiology of the disease. An example would be enzyme therapy for the digestion of purported offending neuroactive peptides collectively known as exorphins. This paper discusses the exorphin theory of autism and subsequent treatment with dietary enzyme therapy. Novel data are presented in support of the theory that enzymes play a critical role in autism. Forty-six patients between the ages of 5 and 31 were selected for inclusion in the study based on a diagnosis placing them in the category of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The diets were supplemented with a novel dietary enzyme formulation, ENZYMAID, for a period of 12 weeks. Progress was tracked according to the Symptom Outcome Survey (SOS) (1) form method of symptom charting and presented in a table for further analysis. The novel enzyme formula, ENZYMAID, beneficially and safely affected all 13 of the parameters measured. Improvements ranged from 50-90%, depending on the parameter measured. Enzyme therapy to treat ASD may indeed a viable option in treatment protocols. These results indicate that further controlled studies are warranted.

Application of genomeceuticals to the molecular and immunological aspects of autism

Autism is a developmental disease affecting as many as 1 in 300 children and is often characterized as a mental disorder originating in infancy that is associated with self-absorption, inability to interact socially, behavior, and language dysfunction (e.g. echolalia). Current theories indicate an important role of diet in the development of disease. It is thought that, as a result of maldigestion of casein and gluten, opioid-type peptides, or exorphins, are produced. Additionally, because of the time-frame of development of the disease, there has been an association with childhood vaccination. Consequently, prevailing therapies attempt to address these causes in one, or a combination, of three ways: diet restriction (removing casein and gluten); supplementation with exogenous enzymes; and probiotic bacteria. Until recently, none of the therapies addressed the molecular mechanisms that may be at work in the development and progression of autism. This paper presents potential molecular and cellular mechanism related to autism as well as discusses their application to the treatment of the disease through the application of genomeceuticals. Additionally, a link between developmentally associated aberrant immune and inflammatory responses, and autism is suggested and explored.

Posthatch development of mucosal function in the broiler small intestine

Changes in small intestinal morphology, in the indices of cellular development, and in the activities of some mucosal enzymes were examined in broilers from hatch through 14 d. In addition the effects of holding birds without access to feed for 36 h and of deutectomy were examined. Development of the intestine was rapid from 2 d after hatch although rates of development were different in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Villus volume in the duodenum reached a plateau after 7 d although it continued to increase in the jejunum and ileum. Enterocyte density changed little with age. Indices of tissue activity, ribosomal capacity, and cell size decreased with age but at differing rates at the three intestinal sites. Sucrase-maltase activity was low in the duodenum and highest in jejunum and ileum and increased in the jejunum to a maximum 2 d after hatch, then decreased. Delayed access to feed after hatch depressed mucosal development for several days, with the duodenum generally reaching control values earlier than the jejunum. Morphological changes following delayed access to feed included some clumping of microvilli on Day 1 after hatching and abnormal crypt structure between Days 7 and 9. Deutectomy resulted in initial decreased intestinal growth, but this was compensated for by 6 to 8 d in the duodenum, after which development was parallel to that of normal chicks. It appears that nutrient supply from yolk is less crucial for mucosal development then withholding feed for 36 h, which delays normal intestinal development.

Galactose increases microvillus development in mouse jejunal enterocytes

1. Mice fed low carbohydrate and galactose-containing diets have been used to determine both positional and temporal aspects of microvillus development during enterocyte migration from intestinal crypts towards the tips of jejunal villi. 2. The positional dependence of microvillus growth was found to be similar in mice fed low carbohydrate (3.0 kcal/g), galactose-containing lipid substituted (2.9 kcal/g) and galactose-containing agar substituted (5.1 kcal/g) diets. The daily calorific intake by mice fed these diets was about 10.4 kcal/mouse. The maximal microvillus length reached by enterocytes fed galactose was nearly twice that measured in mice fed the low carbohydrate diet. 3. Enterocyte migration rate in mice fed the low carbohydrate and the high calorie galactose-containing diet was twice that measured in mice fed the low calorie galactose-containing diet. These changes were not associated with any noticeable alteration in the size of intestinal crypts. 4. Changes in maximal microvillus length (M) can be predicted from the equation M = 0.0016 CD + 0.073 CD/R, where CD and R refer to crypt depth and enterocyte migration rate respectively, Smith M. W. and Brown D. (1989). Dual control over microvillus elongation during enterocyte development. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 93A, 623-628. Substituting measured values for CD and R in this equation revealed a specific capacity of galactose to potentiate microvillus development when presented in the form of a high calorie diet. 5. The possibility that galactose, which is poorly metabolized in mice, can increase microvillus expression by interfering specifically with some aspect of carbohydrate metabolism is discussed.