Increased oxygen free radical production from isolated human pmnls and whole blood by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence in autistic children

ABSTRACT

To investigate the estimated capacity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes [PMNLs] and whole blood to produce reactive oxygen species [ROS] in children with autism and mental retardation, and compare it with normal children. Cohort study conducted between January and April 2007. Chemiluminescence laboratory [CL], Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khaled University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Forty autistic and eight mentally retarded children. Oxygen free radical production [O[2]-, H[2]O[2], OH-] was detected by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, from isolated PMNLs and whole blood, stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate [PMA] and opsinized zymazan [OPZ]. Oxygen free radical production from whole blood and PMNLs. Forty autistic [35 male and fivefemale],andeightmentally retarded children [study group] were compared with forty six normal Saudi children [control group]. The mean age was 7.4 +/- 0.5 years. The CL peak response of whole blood and PMNLs stimulated with PMA and OPZ, in autistic children was significantlyhigher [p < 0.05]compared to control children. However, the CL peak response in children with mental retardation did not show any significantdifferenceswhencomparedtothecontrolgroup. There is an increase in oxygen free radicals production from whole blood and from PMNLs in autistic children. Therefore, an increase the antioxidant consumption in autistic children is strongly recommended