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Nautiyal H, Jaiswar A, Jha PK, Dwivedi S. Exploring key genes and pathways associated with sex differences in autism spectrum disorder: integrated bioinformatic analysis. Mamm Genome 2024; 35:280-295. [PMID: 38594551 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder marked by functional abnormalities in brain that causes social and linguistic difficulties. The incidence of ASD is more prevalent in males compared to females, but the underlying mechanism, as well as molecular indications for identifying sex-specific differences in ASD symptoms remain unknown. Thus, impacting the development of personalized strategy towards pharmacotherapy of ASD. The current study employs an integrated bioinformatic approach to investigate the genes and pathways uniquely associated with sex specific differences in autistic individuals. Based on microarray dataset (GSE6575) extracted from the gene expression omnibus, the dysregulated genes between the autistic and the neurotypical individuals for both sexes were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to ascertain biological activities linked to the dysregulated genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis was carried out to identify hub genes. The identified hub genes were examined to determine their functions and involvement in the associated pathways using Enrichr. Additionally, hub genes were validated from autism-associated databases and the potential small molecules targeting the hub genes were identified. The present study utilized whole blood transcriptomic gene expression analysis data and identified 2211 and 958 differentially expressed unique genes in males and females respectively. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that male hub genes were functionally associated with RNA polymerase II mediated transcriptional regulation whereas female hub genes were involved in intracellular signal transduction and cell migration. The top male hub genes exhibited functional enrichment in tyrosine kinase signalling pathway. The pathway enrichment analysis of male hub genes indicates the enrichment of papillomavirus infection. Female hub genes were enriched in androgen receptor signalling pathway and functionally enriched in focal adhesion specific excision repair. Identified drug like candidates targeting these genes may serve as a potential sex specific therapeutics. Wortmannin for males, 5-Fluorouracil for females had the highest scores. Targeted and sex-specific pharmacotherapies may be created for the management of ASD. The current investigation identifies sex-specific molecular signatures derived from whole blood which may serve as a potential peripheral sex-specific biomarkers for ASD. The study also uncovers the possible pharmacological interventions against the selected genes/pathway, providing support in development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate ASD. However, experimental proofs on biological systems are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Nautiyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Akanksha Jaiswar
- Laboratory of Human Disease Multiomics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Prabhash Kumar Jha
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shubham Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India.
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The Rationale for Vitamin, Mineral, and Cofactor Treatment in the Precision Medical Care of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13020252. [PMID: 36836486 PMCID: PMC9964499 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder may exhibit nutritional deficiencies due to reduced intake, genetic variants, autoantibodies interfering with vitamin transport, and the accumulation of toxic compounds that consume vitamins. Importantly, vitamins and metal ions are essential for several metabolic pathways and for neurotransmitter functioning. The therapeutic benefits of supplementing vitamins, minerals (Zinc, Magnesium, Molybdenum, and Selenium), and other cofactors (coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and tetrahydrobiopterin) are mediated through their cofactor as well as non-cofactor functions. Interestingly, some vitamins can be safely administered at levels far above the dose typically used to correct the deficiency and exert effects beyond their functional role as enzyme cofactors. Moreover, the interrelationships between these nutrients can be leveraged to obtain synergistic effects using combinations. The present review discusses the current evidence for using vitamins, minerals, and cofactors in autism spectrum disorder, the rationale behind their use, and the prospects for future use.
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Guiducci L, Vassalle C, Prosperi M, Santocchi E, Morales MA, Muratori F, Calderoni S. Vitamin D Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Determinants and Effects of the Response to Probiotic Supplementation. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12070611. [PMID: 35888736 PMCID: PMC9317442 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12070611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A relationship between the presence of clinical symptoms and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances associated with nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency, has been observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim was to evaluate 25(OH)D levels according to the annual rhythm cycle, gender, the severity of autism, nutritional or clinical status, inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers, GI symptoms, and the clinical response to probiotic/placebo supplementation in preschooler children with ASD. Eighty-one ASD preschoolers (67 males) were assessed with standardized tools for ASD severity (ADOS score) and GI symptoms (by GI-Index at six-items and at nine-items, the latter defined as the Total GI-Index). The 25(OH)D levels were compared among different ASD subgroups according to metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (leptin, insulin, resistin, PAI-1, MCP-1, TNF-alfa, and IL-6), gender, and the presence or absence of: (i) GI symptoms, (ii) the response to probiotic supplementation (the improvement of GI symptomatology), (iii) the response to probiotic supplementation (improvement of ASD severity). Only 25% of the ASD children presented an adequate 25(OH)D status (≥30 ng/mL according to the Endocrine Society guidelines). All the 25(OH)D levels falling in the severe deficiency range (<10 ng/mL) were observed in the male subgroup. A significant inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and leptin was observed (R = −0.24, p = 0.037). An inverse correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels and the GI Index 6-Items and Total GI-Index (R = −0.25, p = 0.026; −0.27, = 0.009) and a direct relationship with the probiotic response (R = 0.4, p = 0.05). The monitoring of 25(OH)D levels and the co-administration of 25(OH)D and probiotic supplementation could be considered in ASD from early ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Guiducci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Margherita Prosperi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Elisa Santocchi
- UFSMIA Zona Valle del Serchio, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, 55032 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy;
| | | | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Alzghoul L, Al-Eitan LN, Aladawi M, Odeh M, Abu Hantash O. The Association Between Serum Vitamin D3 Levels and Autism Among Jordanian Boys. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:3149-3154. [PMID: 30993503 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04017-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This study assesses the correlation between vitamin-D deficiency and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Jordan. We performed a case-controlled cross-sectional analysis to assess vitamin D levels in 83 children with ASD aged less than 8 years old compared to 106 healthy controls. In addition, the association between vitamin D deficiencies and gastrointestinal (GI) complains and electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities commonly found in children with ASD was investigated. Vitamin D levels in ASD patients were significantly lower. Also, Vitamin D levels in ASD patients had significant correlation with GI complains, but no correlation between vitamin D levels and Ca2+or EEG abnormalities was detected. These data suggest a possible role for vitamin D deficiency in the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Alzghoul
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
| | - Laith N Al-Eitan
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Maher Odeh
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Song L, Luo X, Jiang Q, Chen Z, Zhou L, Wang D, Chen A. Vitamin D Supplementation is Beneficial for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 18:203-213. [PMID: 32329301 PMCID: PMC7242097 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.2.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to explore whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for symptom improvement in children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods We systematically searched the PubMed database, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Sino-Med, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure mainly up to September 2019. Using a fixed effects model, we calculated the standard mean difference with 95% confidence interval. Furthermore, we analyzed baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and outcome scores including the Social Responsiveness Scale and Child Autism Rating Scale scores after vitamin D supplementation. Results There was no significant difference in baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among 203 children included from three studies in the meta-analysis. After vitamin D supplementation, the outcome scores in the experimental group were dramatically elevated compared with those in the control group (p = 0.03). Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation improves the typical symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, as indicated by reduced Social Responsiveness Scale and Child Autism Rating Scale scores; thus, it is beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyao Song
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Nursing Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou
| | - Lifang Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ai Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pediatric, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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