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Dimitrov LV, Kaminski JW, Holbrook JR, Bitsko RH, Yeh M, Courtney JG, O'Masta B, Maher B, Cerles A, McGowan K, Rush M. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chemical Exposures and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci 2023:10.1007/s11121-023-01601-6. [PMID: 38108946 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01601-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to certain chemicals prenatally and in childhood can impact development and may increase risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Leveraging a larger set of literature searches conducted to synthesize results from longitudinal studies of potentially modifiable risk factors for childhood ADHD, we present meta-analytic results from 66 studies that examined the associations between early chemical exposures and later ADHD diagnosis or symptoms. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the chemical exposure occurred at least 6 months prior to measurement of ADHD diagnosis or symptomatology. Included papers were published between 1975 and 2019 on exposure to anesthetics (n = 5), cadmium (n = 3), hexachlorobenzene (n = 4), lead (n = 22), mercury (n = 12), organophosphates (n = 7), and polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 13). Analyses are presented for each chemical exposure by type of ADHD outcome reported (categorical vs. continuous), type of ADHD measurement (overall measures of ADHD, ADHD symptoms only, ADHD diagnosis only, inattention only, hyperactivity/impulsivity only), and timing of exposure (prenatal vs. childhood vs. cumulative), whenever at least 3 relevant effect sizes were available. Childhood lead exposure was positively associated with ADHD diagnosis and symptoms in all analyses except for the prenatal analyses (odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 1.60 to 2.62, correlation coefficients (CCs) ranging from 0.14 to 0.16). Other statistically significant associations were limited to organophosphates (CC = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.19 for continuous measures of ADHD outcomes overall), polychlorinated biphenyls (CC = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.14 for continuous measures of inattention as the outcome), and both prenatal and childhood mercury exposure (CC = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.04 for continuous measures of ADHD outcomes overall for either exposure window). Our findings provide further support for negative impacts of prenatal and/or childhood exposure to certain chemicals and raise the possibility that primary prevention and targeted screening could prevent or mitigate ADHD symptomatology. Furthermore, these findings support the need for regular review of regulations as our scientific understanding of the risks posed by these chemicals evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina V Dimitrov
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center On Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
| | - Jennifer W Kaminski
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center On Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph R Holbrook
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center On Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca H Bitsko
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center On Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael Yeh
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph G Courtney
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Brion Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Rivkin A. Manuscript Referencing Errors and Their Impact on Shaping Current Evidence. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7846. [PMID: 32773836 PMCID: PMC7405306 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
It is imperative that articles published in reputable peer-reviewed journals provide balanced, fair, objective, and accurate references. However, studies on the accuracy of references in various scientific disciplines demonstrate an error rate of 25%-54%. These errors can range from minor errors in citation accuracy to major errors that alter the original content and meaning of the material referenced. This article discusses importance of citation accuracy, reviews principles of good citation practices, and offers recommendations aimed to decrease citation error rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Rivkin
- Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Florham Park, New Jersey
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Abstract
Environmental factors have been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the role of heavy metals has not been fully defined. This study investigated whether blood levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead of children with ASD significantly differ from those of age- and sex-matched controls. One hundred eighty unrelated children with ASD and 184 healthy controls were recruited. Data showed that the children with ASD had significantly (p < 0.001) higher levels of mercury and arsenic and a lower level of cadmium. The levels of lead did not differ significantly between the groups. The results of this study are consistent with numerous previous studies, supporting an important role for heavy metal exposure, particularly mercury, in the etiology of ASD. It is desirable to continue future research into the relationship between ASD and heavy metal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huamei Li
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, StVincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yun Li
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengyan Zhao
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Pediatric Health Care, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhuganxiang Road, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, 310003.
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Skalny AV, Simashkova NV, Skalnaya AA, Klyushnik TP, Bjørklund G, Skalnaya MG, Tinkov AA. Assessment of gender and age effects on serum and hair trace element levels in children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1675-1684. [PMID: 28664504 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of essential trace elements in hair and serum in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and investigate the age and gender effects. Children with ASD were characterized by significantly higher levels of copper (Cu) (+8%), iron (Fe) (+5%), and selenium (Se) (+13%) levels in hair and only 8% higher serum Cu levels. After stratification for gender, ASD boys were characterized by significantly increased hair Cu (+ 25%), Fe (+ 25%), and Se (+ 9%) levels, whereas in girls only Se content was elevated (+ 15%). Boys and girls suffering from ASD were characterized by significantly higher serum manganese (Mn) (+20%) and Cu (+18%) as compared to the control values, respectively. In the group of younger children (2-5 years), no significant group difference in hair trace element levels was detected, whereas serum Cu levels were significantly higher (+7%). In turn, the serum concentration of Se in ASD children was 11% lower than that in neurotypical children. In the group of older children with ASD (6-10 years), hair Fe and Se levels were 21% and 16% higher, whereas in serum only Cu levels were increased (+12%) as compared to the controls. Correlation analysis also revealed a different relationship between serum and hair trace element levels with respect to gender and age. Therefore, it is highly recommended to assess several bioindicative matrices for critical evaluation of trace element status in patients with ASD in order to develop adequate personalized nutritional correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V Skalny
- RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia
- Yaroslavl State University, Sovetskaya St., 15, 150000, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Trace Element Institute for UNESCO, Lyon, France
| | - Natalia V Simashkova
- Scientific Center for Mental Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Tatiana P Klyushnik
- Scientific Center for Mental Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | | | - Alexey A Tinkov
- RUDN University, Moscow, Russia.
- Yaroslavl State University, Sovetskaya St., 15, 150000, Yaroslavl, Russia.
- Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia.
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El-Ansary A, Bjørklund G, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Al Dera H. Relationship between selenium, lead, and mercury in red blood cells of Saudi autistic children. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1073-1080. [PMID: 28326463 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-9996-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Environmental contribution to ASD is due in large part to the sensitivity of the developing brain to external exposures such as lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) as toxic heavy metals or due to a poor detoxification ability as the phenotype of this disorder. Selenium (Se) as an antioxidant element that counteracts the neurotoxicity of Hg, and Pb, presumably through the formation of nontoxic complexes. In the present study, Pb, Hg, and Se were measured in red blood cells (RBCs) of 35 children with ASD and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy control children using atomic absorption spectrometry. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis of the obtained data was performed to measure the predictive value of their absolute and relative concentrations. The obtained data demonstrates a significant elevation of Hg and Pb together with a significant decrease in the Se levels in RBCs of patients with ASD when compared to the healthy controls. The ratios of Se to both Pb and Hg were remarkably altered, being indicative of heavy metal neurotoxicity in patients with ASD. In conclusion, the present study indicates the importance of Se for prevention and/or therapy of heavy metal neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afaf El-Ansary
- Central Laboratory, Center for Female Scientific and Medical Colleges, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia
- Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
- All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Moscow, Russia
| | - Hussain Al Dera
- Basic Medical Science Department, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Skalny AV, Simashkova NV, Klyushnik TP, Grabeklis AR, Radysh IV, Skalnaya MG, Tinkov AA. Analysis of Hair Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication Disorders. Biol Trace Elem Res 2017; 177:215-223. [PMID: 27785740 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-016-0878-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary objective of the present study is analysis of hair trace elements content in children with communication disorder (CD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 99 children from control, CD, and ASD groups (n = 33) were examined. All children were additionally divided into two subgroups according to age. Hair levels of trace elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The difference was considered significant at p < 0.01. The obtained data demonstrate that children with CD are characterized by significantly increased hair lithium (Li) (96 %; p = 0.008), selenium (Se) (66 %; p < 0.001), arsenic (As) (96 %; p = 0.005), beryllium (Be) (150 %; p < 0.001), and cadmium (Cd) (72 %; p = 0.007) content, being higher than the respective control values. In the ASD group, hair copper (Cu), iodine (I), and Be levels tended to be lower than the control values. In turn, the scalp hair content of Se significantly exceeded the control values (33 %; p = 0.004), whereas the level of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) tended to increase. After gradation for age, the most prominent differences in children with CD were detected in the elder group (5-8 years), whereas in the case of ASD-in the younger group (3-4 years old). Taking into account the role of hair as excretory mechanism for certain elements including the toxic ones, it can be proposed that children suffering from ASD are characterized by more profound alteration of metal handling and excretion in comparison to CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V Skalny
- All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Moscow, Russia.
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia.
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia.
- RUDN University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Natalia V Simashkova
- Scientific Center for Mental Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana P Klyushnik
- Scientific Center for Mental Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
- Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia
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Geier DA, Kern JK, Homme KG, Geier MR. Abnormal Brain Connectivity Spectrum Disorders Following Thimerosal Administration: A Prospective Longitudinal Case-Control Assessment of Medical Records in the Vaccine Safety Datalink. Dose Response 2017; 15:1559325817690849. [PMID: 28539852 PMCID: PMC5433557 DOI: 10.1177/1559325817690849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), tic disorder (TD), and hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood (attention deficit disorder [ADD]/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) are disorders recently defined as abnormal connectivity spectrum disorders (ACSDs) because they show a similar pattern of abnormal brain connectivity. This study examines whether these disorders are associated with exposure to thimerosal, a mercury (Hg)-based preservative. METHODS A hypothesis testing case-control study evaluated the Vaccine Safety Datalink for the potential dose-dependent odds ratios (ORs) for diagnoses of ASD, TD, and ADD/ADHD compared to controls, following exposure to Hg from thimerosal-containing Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines administrated within the first 15 months of life. Febrile seizures, cerebral degeneration, and unspecified disorders of metabolism, which are not biologically plausibly linked to thimerosal, were examined as control outcomes. RESULTS On a per 25 μg Hg basis, cases diagnosed with ASD (OR = 1.493), TD (OR = 1.428), or ADD/ADHD (OR = 1.503) were significantly (P < .001) more likely than controls to have received increased Hg exposure. Similar relationships were observed when separated by gender. Cases diagnosed with control outcomes were no more likely than controls to have received increased Hg exposure. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Hg exposure from thimerosal is significantly associated with the ACSDs of ASD, TD, and ADD/ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Geier
- Department of Research, The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- CoMeD, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Janet K. Kern
- Department of Research, The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- CoMeD, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- CONEM US Autism Research Group, Allen, TX, USA
| | - Kristin G. Homme
- International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, ChampionsGate, FL, USA
| | - Mark R. Geier
- Department of Research, The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- CoMeD, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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8
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Oliveira CS, Piccoli BC, Aschner M, Rocha JBT. Chemical Speciation of Selenium and Mercury as Determinant of Their Neurotoxicity. Adv Neurobiol 2017; 18:53-83. [PMID: 28889263 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60189-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The antagonism of mercury toxicity by selenium has been well documented. Mercury is a toxic metal, widespread in the environment. The main target organs (kidneys, lungs, or brain) of mercury vary depending on its chemical forms (inorganic or organic). Selenium is a semimetal essential to mammalian life as part of the amino acid selenocysteine, which is required to the synthesis of the selenoproteins. This chapter has the aim of disclosing the role of selenide or hydrogen selenide (Se-2 or HSe-) as central metabolite of selenium and as an important antidote of the electrophilic mercury forms (particularly, Hg2+ and MeHg). Emphasis will be centered on the neurotoxicity of electrophile forms of mercury and selenium. The controversial participation of electrophile mercury and selenium forms in the development of some neurodegenerative disease will be briefly presented. The potential pharmacological use of organoseleno compounds (Ebselen and diphenyl diselenide) in the treatment of mercury poisoning will be considered. The central role of thiol (-SH) and selenol (-SeH) groups as the generic targets of electrophile mercury forms and the need of new in silico tools to guide the future biological researches will be commented.
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Geier DA, Kern JK, Geier MR. A Two-Phase Case-Control Study of Autism Risk Among Children Born From the Late 1990s Through the Early 2000s in the United States. Med Sci Monit 2016; 22:5196-5202. [PMID: 28031551 PMCID: PMC5218387 DOI: 10.12659/msm.900257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study evaluated the hypothesis that the 1999 recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and US Public Health Service (PHS) to reduce exposure to mercury (Hg) from Thimerosal in US vaccines would be associated with a reduction in the long-term risk of being diagnosed with autism. Material/Methods A two-phase assessment utilizing a case (n=73) -control (n=11,783) study in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database (for hypothesis generating) and a more rigorous, independent matched case (n=40) -control (n=40) study (hypothesis testing) was undertaken. Results Analysis of the VAERS database using logistic regression revealed that the odds ratio (OR) for being an autism case in the VAERS database significantly decreased with a more recent year of vaccination in comparison to controls (OR=0.65) from 1998 to 2003. Sex-separated analyses revealed similar significant effects for males (OR=0.62) and females (OR=0.71). Analyses of the matched case-control data revealed, using the t-test statistic, that the mean date of birth among cases diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (2000.5±1.2) was significantly more in the past than in controls (2001.1±1.3). Logistic regression also revealed that the OR for being diagnosed with ASD significantly decreased with a more recent date of birth in comparison to controls (OR=0.67) from 1998–2003. Conclusions This study reveals that the risk of autism during from the late1990s to early 2000s in the US significantly decreased with reductions in Hg exposure from Thimerosal-containing childhood vaccines, but future studies should examine this phenomenon in other US populations. Vaccine programs have significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious disease, but Thimerosal should be removed from all vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Geier
- Department of Research, Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Department of Research, CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Janet K Kern
- Department of Research, Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Department of Research, CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Department of Research, CONEM US Autism Research Group, Allen, TX, USA
| | - Mark R Geier
- Department of Research, Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Department of Research, CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Khaled EM, Meguid NA, Bjørklund G, Gouda A, Bahary MH, Hashish A, Sallam NM, Chirumbolo S, El-Bana MA. Altered urinary porphyrins and mercury exposure as biomarkers for autism severity in Egyptian children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:1419-1426. [PMID: 27406246 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social, communication, and behavioral development. Recent evidence supported but also questioned the hypothetical role of compounds containing mercury (Hg) as contributors to the development of ASD. Specific alterations in the urinary excretion of porphyrin-containing ring catabolites have been associated with exposure to Hg in ASD patients. In the present study, the level of urinary porphyrins, as biomarkers of Hg toxicity in children with ASD, was evaluated, and its correlation with severity of the autistic behavior further explored. A total of 100 children was enrolled in the present study. They were classified into three groups: children with ASD (40), healthy controls (40), and healthy siblings of the ASD children (20). Children with ASD were diagnosed using DSM-IV-TR, ADI-R, and CARS tests. Urinary porphyrins were evaluated within the three groups using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after plasma evaluation of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in the same groups. Results showed that children with ASD had significantly higher levels of Hg, Pb, and the porphyrins pentacarboxyporphyrin, coproporphyrin, precoproporphyrin, uroporphyrins, and hexacarboxyporphyrin compared to healthy controls and healthy siblings of the ASD children. However, there was no significant statistical difference in the level of heptacarboxyporphyrin among the three groups, while a significant positive correlation between the levels of coproporphyrin and precoproporphyrin and autism severity was observed. Mothers of ASD children showed a higher percentage of dental amalgam restorations compared to the mothers of healthy controls suggesting that high Hg levels in children with ASD may relate to the increased exposure to Hg from maternal dental amalgam during pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that the ASD children in the present study had increased blood Hg and Pb levels compared with healthy control children indicating that disordered porphyrin metabolism might interfere with the pathology associated with the autistic neurologic phenotype. The present study indicates that coproporphyrin and precoproporhyrin may be utilized as possible biomarkers for heavy metal exposure and autism severity in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Khaled
- Department of Pediatric, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nagwa A Meguid
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Amr Gouda
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Adel Hashish
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nermin M Sallam
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- University Laboratory of Medical Research, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mona A El-Bana
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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Crăciun EC, Bjørklund G, Tinkov AA, Urbina MA, Skalny AV, Rad F, Dronca E. Evaluation of whole blood zinc and copper levels in children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:887-90. [PMID: 27059237 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9823-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are important trace elements for cognitive development and normal neurological functioning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurological disorder, which has previously been associated with the levels of some trace elements in the blood. However, clinical data regarding the potential implication of Zn and Cu in patients with ASD are still insufficient. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the whole blood levels of Zn and Cu in a cohort of 28 children with ASD and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Whole blood Zn and Cu levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry. Both in the control and in the ASD group, the values of whole blood Cu and Zn were characterized by a Gaussian distribution. The results indicate that the ASD children were characterized by ~10 % (p = 0.005) and ~12 % (p = 0.015) lower levels of whole blood Zn and Zn/Cu ratio, respectively, in comparison to controls. No significant difference in whole blood Cu was observed. However, Cu/Zn ratio was ~15 % (p = 0.008) higher in ASD children than that in the control ones. The results of the present study may be indicative of Zn deficiency in ASD children. Taking into account Zn-mediated up-regulation of metallothionein (MT) gene expression, these findings suggest a possible alteration in the functioning of the neuroprotective MT system. However, further investigations are required to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cristina Crăciun
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Department of Biochemistry, Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia
- All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow, Russia
| | - Mauricio A Urbina
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia
- All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow, Russia
| | - Florina Rad
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eleonora Dronca
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Fujiwara T, Morisaki N, Honda Y, Sampei M, Tani Y. Chemicals, Nutrition, and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mini-Review. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:174. [PMID: 27147957 PMCID: PMC4837386 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid increase of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that exposure to chemicals may impact the development of ASD. Therefore, we reviewed literature on the following chemicals, nutrient to investigate their association with ASD: (1) smoke/tobacco, (2) alcohol, (3) air pollution, (4) pesticides, (5) endocrine-disrupting chemicals, (6) heavy metals, (7) micronutrients, (8) fatty acid, and (9) parental obesity as a proxy of accumulation of specific chemicals or nutritional status. Several chemical exposures such as air pollution (e.g., particular matter 2.5), pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, mercury, and nutrition deficiency such as folic acid, vitamin D, or fatty acid may possibly be associated with an increased risk of ASD, whereas other traditional risk factors such as smoking/tobacco, alcohol, or polychlorinated biphenyls are less likely to be associated with ASD. Further research is needed to accumulate evidence on the association between chemical exposure and nutrient deficiencies and ASD in various doses and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Fujiwara
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyo, Japan
| | - Naho Morisaki
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development , Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Honda
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Global Cooperation Institute for Sustainable Cities, Yokohama City UniversityYokohama, Japan
| | - Makiko Sampei
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development , Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukako Tani
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyo, Japan; Department of Health Education and Health Sociology, School of Public Health, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
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