Antioxidant enzymes and ceruloplasmin plasma levels in children with autism

ABSTRACT

Autism is a behaviorally defined neuron-developmental disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood that is characterized by impairment in reciprocal communication and speech, repetitive behaviors, and social withdrawal Although both genetic and environmental factors are thought to be involved, none have been reproducibly identified. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse disease states, and may be a common pathogenic mechanism underlying many major psychiatric disorders as autism. Levels of the major antioxidant serum proteins, namely Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase and ceruloplasmin, are decreased in children with autism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the major antioxidant enzymes include. Superoxide Dismutase [SOD], Glutathione Peroxidase [GSH-Px] and Ceruloplasmin in children with autism, compare them with normal control children and to correlate between the plasma levels of these major antioxidant and the severity of autism .This study was carried out in The Psychiatry Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Tanta University Hospital. Thirty children with prior diagnosis of autism[24 males, 6 females] were included in the study, their age range was[3-9 years] with the mean age was [5 +/- 1.8 years]. The intial Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS] score for these children was >/= 30. Children with a CARS score >/= 30 were considered to have autism. Intial CARS score range for chidren with autism was [31-60]. The control group consisted of thirty healthy children [10 females, 20 males]. Their age range was [2-10 years] and the mean age was 5.3 +/- 2.4 years. The plasma levels of the major antioxidant, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase and Ceruloplasmin In children with autism, were significantly lower than the plasma levels of these antioxidants in the control children [P<0.01]. Also there was a significant inverse correlation between the plasma levels of this major antioxidant and the severity of autism according to CARS score. These data revealed that, antioxidants defense mechanisms might be impaired in children with autism, understanding these basic pathologic processes may yield novel target for the development of more effective treatment for autism