Thioredoxin level and inflammatory markers in children with autism spectrum disorders

Inflammatory mediators drive neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy

Inflammation conditions are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy (CP), primarily observed in the peripheral immune system. However, the extent of neuro-inflammation and neuro-immune dysregulation remains poorly studied. In this study, we analyzed the composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to uncover the inflammatory mediators driving the neuro-immune system in ASD and CP patients. Our findings revealed that ASD patients had elevated levels of four inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-21, and BAFF) compared to controls, while CP patients exhibited increased levels of eight inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A and IL-12), one anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and five growth factors (GFs) (NGF-β, EGF, GDF-15, G-CSF and BMP-9) compared to both controls and ASD patients. Additionally, intrathecal infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) led to a slight decrease in TGF-β and GDF-15 levels in the CSF of ASD and CP patients, respectively. Our study provides new insights into the molecular composition of CSF in ASD and CP patients, with the potential to develop more effective diagnosis methods and improved treatment for these diseases.Clinical trial registration CSF samples used in this study are from clinical trials NCT03225651, NCT05307536, NCT02569775, NCT03123562, NCT02574923, NCT05472428 and previous reports [7, 9, 17-19].

Galectin-3 levels in school aged children with autism spectrum disorder

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with underlying pathogenesis and etiological factors not fully understood. We assumed that galectin-3, which is also linked with inflammatory responses, may be central to the ethiopathogenesis of ASD. Method: The current study consisted of 33 psychotropic medication-naive children with ASD and 32 control subjects. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Present and Lifetime Version-DSM-5 (K-SADS-PL-DSM-5) was used to screen healthy controls for psychiatric disorders by a psychiatrist after a physical examination by a pediatrician. The clinical severity of the ASD symptoms has been assessed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Venous blood samples were collected and serum galectin-3 levels were measured. Results: When the ASD and control groups are compared, the mean galectin-3 level is 417.77 (SD = 200.20) in the ASD group and 243.08 (SD = 64.65) in the control group, and there is a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). When examining whether there is a correlation between galectin-3 levels and CARS total scores, no statistically significant correlation was found between them (r = 0.015, p = 0.933). Discussion: In this study, we examined whether serum galectin-3 levels have a relation with ASD in childhood or not. Our findings have indicated that the children with ASD have higher serum galectin-3 levels compared to the controls. However, no significant relationship has been found between serum galectin-3 levels and ASD symptom severity.

Activation of the Monocyte/Macrophage System and Abnormal Blood Levels of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a so far unknown etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that a state of systemic low-grade inflammation may be involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. However, studies investigating peripheral blood levels of immune cells, and/or of immune cell activation markers such as neopterin are lacking and have provided mixed findings. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, blood levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and of neopterin between individuals with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls (PROSPERO registration number: CRD CRD42019146472). Online searches covered publications from 1 January 1994 until 1 March 2022. Out of 1170 publication records identified, 25 studies were finally included. Random-effects meta-analyses were carried out, and sensitivity analyses were performed to control for potential moderators. Results: Individuals with ASD showed a significantly higher WBC count (k = 10, g = 0.29, p = 0.001, I2 = 34%), significantly higher levels of neutrophils (k = 6, g = 0.29, p = 0.005, I2 = 31%), monocytes (k = 11, g = 0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 54%), NK cells (k = 7, g = 0.36, p = 0.037, I2 = 67%), Tc cells (k = 4, g = 0.73, p = 0.021, I2 = 82%), and a significantly lower Th/Tc cells ratio (k = 3, g = −0.42, p = 0.008, I2 = 0%), compared to TD controls. Subjects with ASD were also characterized by a significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (k = 4, g = 0.69, p = 0.040, I2 = 90%), and significantly higher neopterin levels (k = 3, g = 1.16, p = 0.001, I2 = 97%) compared to TD controls. No significant differences were found with respect to the levels of lymphocytes, B cells, Th cells, Treg cells, and Th17 cells. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the findings for monocyte and neutrophil levels were robust, and independent of other factors, such as medication status, diagnostic criteria applied, and/or the difference in age or sex between subjects with ASD and TD controls. Taken together, our findings suggest the existence of a chronically (and systemically) activated inflammatory response system in, at least, a subgroup of individuals with ASD. This might have not only diagnostic, but also, therapeutic implications. However, larger longitudinal studies including more homogeneous samples and laboratory assessment methods and recording potential confounding factors such as body mass index, or the presence of comorbid psychiatric and/or medical conditions are urgently needed to confirm the findings.

Comparing Levels of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites in Egyptian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Healthy Control Children: Referring to Sources of Phthalate Exposure

Background: Evidence supporting environmental risk factors of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising. Phthalates are assumed to contribute to this risk due to their extensive use in daily life as plasticizers and additives in numerous customer products. Phthalates are also accused as a neurotoxic agent affecting brain development. Aim: The main objective of this study is to compare the concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites as biomarkers of phthalate exposure in children with autism to that of a healthy control group and to compare their exposure to suspected environmental sources of phthalate. Methods: It was a case-control study; conducted over a period of one year. Thirty-eight children with ASD and 99 apparently healthy children comprised the control group, were enrolled in the study. Urinary concentrations of four phthalate metabolites were measured, using a combination of solid phase extraction, high pressure liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Children with ASD comprised 38 children (32 boys and 6 girls), their mean age was 8.95 + 4.17 years. There were significant higher levels of urinary Mono (2ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono benzyl, and mono butyl phthalates in cases vs. controls with p value equals (0.006, 0.017 and <0.001) respectively. Regression analysis revealed that male gender and the level of mono butyl are the main predictors of ASD (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggested a link between phthalates and ASD with higher urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in children with ASD. These high levels are either due to increased exposure or defective metabolism in children with ASD. The study declined any relationship of the studied sources of phthalate exposure to ASD except the exposure to wall painting with plastic.