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Wu Y, Yang T, Chen HY, Long D, Xiang XL, Feng YR, Wei QH, Chen J, Li TY. [Serum folate and vitamin B 12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder]. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2024; 26:371-377. [PMID: 38660901 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091] [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] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 (VB12) and their association with the level of neurodevelopment in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS A total of 324 ASD children aged 2-6 years and 318 healthy children aged 2-6 years were recruited. Serum levels of folate and VB12 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were used to assess the core symptoms of ASD children, and the Gesell Developmental Schedule was employed to evaluate the level of neurodevelopment. RESULTS The levels of serum folate and VB12 in ASD children were significantly lower than those in healthy children (P<0.05). Serum folate levels in ASD children were positively correlated with gross and fine motor developmental quotients (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with adaptive behavior, fine motor, and language developmental quotients (P<0.05). In ASD children aged 2 to <4 years, serum folate levels were positively correlated with developmental quotients in all domains (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language developmental quotient (P<0.05). In male ASD children, serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Serum folate and VB12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in healthy children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age. Therefore, maintaining normal serum folate and VB12 levels may be beneficial for the neurodevelopment of ASD children, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Hong-Yu Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Dan Long
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Xue-Li Xiang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Yu-Ru Feng
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Qiu-Hong Wei
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders/Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
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Jin T, Huang W, Pang Q, He Z, Yuan L, Zhang H, Xing D, Guo S, Zhang T. Inferring the genetic effects of serum homocysteine and vitamin B levels on autism spectral disorder through Mendelian randomization. Eur J Nutr 2024; 63:977-986. [PMID: 38265752 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03329-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The previous studies have suggested that serum homocysteine (Hcy) and vitamin B levels are potentially related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the causality between their concentrations and ASD risk remains unclear. To elucidate this genetic association, we used a Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS For this MR analysis, 47 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-13 related to Hcy, 13 to folate, 14 to vitamin B6, and 7 to vitamin B12-were obtained from a large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) database and employed as instrumental variables (IVs). Our study used three approaches to calculate the MR estimates, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger method, and weighted median (WM) method. Among these, the IVW method served as our primary MR method. False discovery rate (FDR) was implemented to correct for multiple comparisons. We also performed a series of sensitivity analyses, including Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger's intercept, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and the funnel plot. RESULTS Univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analysis revealed a statistical association between serum vitamin B12 levels and ASD risk (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.12-2.52, P = 0.01) using the IVW method. However, neither the WM method (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.93-2.66, P = 0.09) nor the MR-Egger method (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 0.48-11.19, P = 0.34) was significantly association with higher levels of serum vitamin B12 and ASD risk. Additionally, we found no evidence of causal relationships between serum levels of vitamin B6, folate, Hcy, and ASD risk. After correcting for the FDR, the causality between serum vitamin B12 levels and ASD risk remained significant (q value = 0.0270). Multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis indicated an independent association between elevated serum vitamin B12 levels and the risk of ASD (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.03-2.95, P = 0.03) using the IVW method, but this finding was inconsistent when using the WM method (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 0.89-3.36, P = 0.11) and MR-Egger method (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 0.95-2.71, P = 0.08). Furthermore, no causal associations were observed for serum levels of vitamin B6 and folate in MVMR analysis. Sensitivity analyses confirmed that these results were reliable. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that elevated serum vitamin B12 levels might increase the risk of ASD. The potential implications of our results for ASD risk warrant validation in randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiongyi Pang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zitian He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Linran Yuan
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haojie Zhang
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dalin Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyuan Guo
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China.
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Cui J, Zhai Z, Wang S, Song X, Qiu T, Yu L, Zhai Q, Zhang H. The role and impact of abnormal vitamin levels in autism spectrum disorders. Food Funct 2024; 15:1099-1115. [PMID: 38221882 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo03735e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder with a predominance of social behavioral disorders, has increased dramatically in various countries in recent decades. The interplay between genetic and environmental factors is believed to underlie ASD pathogenesis. Recent analyses have shown that abnormal vitamin levels in early life are associated with an increased risk of autism. As essential substances for growth and development, vitamins have been shown to have significant benefits for the nervous and immune systems. However, it is unknown whether certain vitamin types influence the emergence or manifestation of ASD symptoms. Several studies have focused on vitamin levels in children with autism, and neurotypical children have provided different insights into the types of vitamins and their intake. Here, we review the mechanisms and significance of several vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, and K) that are closely associated with the development of ASD in order to prevent, mitigate, and treat ASD. Efforts have been made to discover and develop new indicators for nutritional assessment of children with ASD to play a greater role in the early detection of ASD and therapeutic remission after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Cui
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
- Department of child health care, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hositipal of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
| | - Zidan Zhai
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
- Department of child health care, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hositipal of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
| | - Shumin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Xiaoyue Song
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University/Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Ting Qiu
- Department of child health care, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hositipal of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
| | - Leilei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
| | - Heng Zhang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
- Department of child health care, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hositipal of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University/Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
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Robea MA, Ilie OD, Nicoara MN, Solcan G, Romila LE, Ureche D, Ciobica A. Vitamin B 12 Ameliorates Pesticide-Induced Sociability Impairment in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio): A Prospective Controlled Intervention Study. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:405. [PMID: 38338046 PMCID: PMC10854844 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030405] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Constant exposure to a variety of environmental factors has become increasingly problematic. A variety of illnesses are initiated or aided by the presence of certain perturbing factors. In the case of autism spectrum disorder, the environmental component plays an important part in determining the overall picture. Moreover, the lack of therapies to relieve existing symptoms complicates the fight against this condition. As a result, animal models have been used to make biomedical research easier and more suited for disease investigations. The current study used zebrafish as an animal model to mimic a real-life scenario: acute exposure to an increased dose of pesticides, followed by prospective intervention-based therapy with vitamin B12 (vit. B12). It is known that vit. B12 is involved in brain function nerve tissue, and red blood cell formation. Aside from this, the role of vit. B12 in the redox processes is recognized for its help against free radicals. To investigate the effect of vit. B12, fish were divided into four different groups and exposed to a pesticide mixture (600 μg L-1 fipronil + 600 μg L-1 pyriproxyfen) and 0.24 μg L-1 vit. B12 for 14 days. The impact of the compounds was assessed daily with EthoVision XT 11.5 software for behavioral observations, especially for sociability, quantified by the social interaction test. In addition, at the end of the study, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The results showed significant improvements in locomotor activity parameters and a positive influence of the vitamin on sociability. Regarding the state of oxidative stress, high activity was found for SOD and GPx in the case of vit. B12, while fish exposed to the mixture of pesticides and vit. B12 had a lower level of MDA. In conclusion, the study provides new data about the effect of vit. B12 in zebrafish, highlighting the potential use of vitamin supplementation to maintain and support the function of the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Andreea Robea
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu Dumitru Ilie
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Mircea Nicusor Nicoara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Solcan
- Internal Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ion Ionescu de la Brad Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania;
| | | | - Dorel Ureche
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University “Vasile Alecsandri“ of Bacau, Calea Marasesti Street, No. 157, 600115 Bacau, Romania
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, 54, Independence Street, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, Teodor Codrescu 2, 700481 Iasi, Romania
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Zhang H, Tang X, Feng C, Gao Y, Hong Q, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zheng Q, Lin J, Liu X, Shen L. The use of data independent acquisition based proteomic analysis and machine learning to reveal potential biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder. J Proteomics 2023; 278:104872. [PMID: 36898611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological developmental disorder in children, and is associated with social isolation and restricted interests. The etiology of this disorder is still unknown. There is neither any confirmed laboratory test nor any effective therapeutic strategy to diagnose or cure it. We performed data independent acquisition (DIA) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis of plasma from children with ASD and controls. The result showed that 45 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between autistic subjects and controls. Among these, only one DEP was down-regulated in ASD; other DEPs were up-regulated in ASD children's plasma. These proteins are found associated with complement and coagulation cascades, vitamin digestion and absorption, cholesterol metabolism, platelet degranulation, selenium micronutrient network, extracellular matrix organization and inflammatory pathway, which have been reported to be related to ASD. After MRM verification, five key proteins in complement pathway (PLG, SERPINC1, and A2M) and inflammatory pathway (CD5L, ATRN, SERPINC1, and A2M) were confirmed to be significantly up-regulated in ASD group. Through the screening of machine learning model and MRM verification, we found that two proteins (biotinidase and carbonic anhydrase 1) can be used as early diagnostic markers of ASD (AUC = 0.8, p = 0.0001). SIGNIFICANCE: ASD is the fastest growing neurodevelopmental disorder in the world and has become a major public health problem worldwide. Its prevalence has been steadily increasing, with a global prevalence rate of 1%. Early diagnosis and intervention can achieve better prognosis. In this study, data independent acquisition (DIA) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis was applied to analyze the plasma proteome of ASD patients (31 (±5) months old), and 378 proteins were quantified. 45 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between the ASD group and the control group. They mainly were associated with platelet degranulation, ECM proteoglycar, complement and coagulation cascades, selenium micronutrient network, regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) transport and uptake by insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), cholesterol metabolism, vitamin metabolism, and inflammatory pathway. Through the integrated machine learning methods and the MRM verification of independent samples, it is considered that biotinidase and carbon anhydrase 1 have the potential to become biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD. These results complement proteomics database of the ASD patients, broaden our understanding of ASD, and provide a panel of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen 518100, PR China
| | - Yan Gao
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen 518100, PR China
| | - Qi Hong
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen 518100, PR China
| | - Jun Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Xinglai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Qihong Zheng
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, PR China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research, Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, Shenzhen 518071, PR China.
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Tsujiguchi H, Hara A, Miyagi S, Pham KO, Suzuki K, Nguyen TTT, Ono Y, Kambayashi Y, Shimizu Y, Nakamura H, Suzuki F, Shibata A, Hayashi K, Tsuboi H, Nakamura H. Prospective relationship between autistic traits and nutrient intakes among Japanese children: Results of the Shika study. Autism 2023; 27:389-401. [PMID: 35652325 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221097487] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT It is known about food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder. However, the nutritional inadequacy among children with ASD is not clear. Especially, long-term evaluation has not been studied. We examined the prospective relationship between autistic traits in children and subsequent nutrient intake in later childhood. We utilized data obtained at two time points from a study conducted in Japan. Participants were 759 Japanese children aged between 7 and 12 years at baseline and between 10 and 15 years in the follow-up. The results showed relatively lower intakes of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12 among children with than without autistic traits. Relatively lower intake of minerals and vitamins in children with autistic traits is more evident in later childhood. The results suggest the importance of screening the nutrient intake of children with autistic traits across childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Koichi Hayashi
- Kanazawa University, Japan.,Mukogawa Women's University, Japan
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Almandil NB, Alismail MA, Alsuwat HS, AlSulaiman A, AbdulAzeez S, Borgio JF. Exome-wide analysis identify multiple variations in olfactory receptor genes ( OR12D2 and OR5V1) associated with autism spectrum disorder in Saudi females. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1051039. [PMID: 36817779 PMCID: PMC9928728 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1051039] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial, neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by deficits in communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors. ASD is highly heritable in Saudi Arabia; indecencies of affected individuals are increasing. Objectives To identify the most significant genes and SNPs associated with the increased risk of ASD in Saudi females to give an insight for early diagnosis. Methods Pilot case-control study mostly emphasized on the significant SNPs and haplotypes contributing to Saudi females with ASD patients (n = 22) compared to controls (n = 51) without ASD. With the use of allelic association analysis tools, 243,345 SNPs were studied systematically and classified according to their significant association. The significant SNPs and their genes were selected for further investigation for mapping of ASD candidate causal variants and functional impact. Results In females, five risk SNPs at p ≤ 2.32 × 10-05 was identified in association with autism. The most significant exonic variants at chromosome 6p22.1 with olfactory receptor genes (OR12D2 and OR5V1) clustered with high linkage disequilibrium through haplotyping analysis. Comparison between highly associated genes (56 genes) of male and female autistic patients with female autistic samples revealed that 39 genes are unique biomarkers for Saudi females with ASD. Conclusion Multiple variations in olfactory receptor genes (OR5V1 and OR12D2) and single variations on SPHK1, PLCL2, AKAP9 and LOC107984893 genes are contributing to ASD in females of Arab origin. Accumulation of these multiple predisposed coding SNPs can increase the possibility of developing ASD in Saudi females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor B. Almandil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Noor B Almandil,
| | - Maram Adnan Alismail
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia,College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind Saleh Alsuwat
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulla AlSulaiman
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sayed AbdulAzeez
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - J. Francis Borgio
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Prades N, Varela E, Flamarique I, Deulofeu R, Baeza I. Water-soluble vitamin insufficiency, deficiency and supplementation in children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Neurosci 2023; 26:85-107. [PMID: 35034564 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.2020402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Nutrition is fundamental for brain development, but relatively little is known about water-soluble vitamin (WSV) levels and the effect of supplementation on psychiatry symptoms in children and adolescents (CAD) with psychiatric disorders. Our team systematically reviewed all studies concerning WSV abnormalities or supplementation in CAD with any psychiatric disorder. We searched for original studies published between 1990 and 15/05/2020 which were not based on retrospective chart review and which included WSV blood level measurements or investigated the effect of WSV supplementation on psychiatric symptoms in psychiatric patients aged 18 or under. Forty-two articles were included, 69% of which (N = 29) examined Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with most of these assessing folate or vitamin B12 supplementation (N = 22, 75.9% of ASD studies). Meta-analyses showed significantly lower vitamin B12 levels in ASD and ADHD patients vs. healthy controls (HC), while folate levels were higher in ADHD patients vs. HC. Most of the studies (9/10, 90%) showed a decrease in symptoms as measured by clinical scales after supplementation. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies, however many found different types of vitamin abnormalities in CAD with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Itziar Flamarique
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Institut Clínic of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic Universitari of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Deulofeu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Centre de Diagnostic Biomèdic Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Baeza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Institut Clínic of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic Universitari of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Kittana M, Ahmadani A, Williams KE, Attlee A. Nutritional Status and Feeding Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2023; 15. [PMID: 36771417 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is associated with increased risks of overweight/obesity and underweight, altered nutrient profile, and abnormal feeding behaviors. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the literature on the nutritional status of children with ASD in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, by providing a summary and assessment of the body of evidence. A systematic review of English and Arabic publications up to November 2020 was conducted of five databases in addition to the grey literature, which include a nutrition-related parameter, from both experimental and observational study designs. Children with ASD (ASD-C) between 2 and 19 years in the MENA Region were the target population. For risk of bias, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) was adopted. The number of published articles was grossly limited. Forty-three articles were included, of which only four articles reported a low risk of bias; therefore, the results were interpreted in light of methodological limitations. Both overweight and underweight were common in ASD-C, although not consistently different than typically developing children. Nutrient inadequacies of energy, protein, omega-3, and others; deficiencies in serum iron indicators and calcium, as well as vitamins B12, B9, and D levels; and higher levels of homocysteine and omega-6/omega-3 ratios were reported. Feeding behavior problems were also common in ASD-C. Understanding nutritional requirements and food preferences can guide the planning of the appropriate comprehensive interventions for ASD-C. Various nutritional and behavioral concerns were identified in the included studies; however, they were subject to methodological weaknesses, which limited the generalizability of these results. Future research is warranted that must be directed to finding strong evidence using robust study designs on nutritional status and feeding behaviors of ASD-C, with a particular emphasis on the MENA Region.
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de Souza Silva E, Castro K, Valle SC, dos Santos Vaz J. Dietary Assessment Methods Applied in Clinical and Epidemiological Studies in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00353-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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11
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Holloway JM, Gray HL, Buro AW, Thomas J, Sauls R, Howard AM. Measurement Tools to Assess Usual Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00349-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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12
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Li B, Xu Y, Pang D, Zhao Q, Zhang L, Li M, Li W, Duan G, Zhu C. Interrelation between homocysteine metabolism and the development of autism spectrum disorder in children. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:947513. [PMID: 36046711 PMCID: PMC9421079 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.947513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is emerging that dysregulation of circulating concentrations of homocysteine, an important intermediate in folate and vitamin B12 metabolism, is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but comprehensive assessments and correlations with disease characteristics have not been reported. Multivariate ordinal regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to estimate independent correlations between serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels and clinical outcomes and severity of children with ASD. After adjusting for confounding factors, serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in children with ASD than in healthy controls (β: 0.370; 95% CI: 0.299~0.441, p < 0.001). Moreover, homocysteine had a good diagnostic ability for distinguishing children with ASD from healthy subjects (AUC: 0.899, p < 0.001). The RCS model indicated a positive and linear association between serum homocysteine and the risk of ASD. The lowest quartile of folate was positively associated with ASD severity (OR: 4.227, 95% CI: 1.022~17.488, p = 0.041) compared to the highest quartile, and serum folate showed a negative and linear association with ASD severity. In addition, decreased concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 were associated with poor adaptive behavior developmental quotients of the Gesell Developmental Schedules (p < 0.05). Overall, an increased homocysteine level was associated with ASD in a linear manner and is thus a novel diagnostic biomarker for ASD. Decreased concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 were associated with poor clinical profiles of children with ASD. These findings suggest that homocysteine-lowering interventions or folate and vitamin B12 supplementation might be a viable treatment strategy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dizhou Pang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Key Clinical Laboratory of Henan Province, Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guiqin Duan
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Changlian Zhu ;
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Jennings L, Basiri R. Amino Acids, B Vitamins, and Choline May Independently and Collaboratively Influence the Incidence and Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142896. [PMID: 35889852 PMCID: PMC9318435 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of variable severity, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. In 2018, the incidence of ASD was 2.4 times higher than estimated in 2000. Behavior and brain development abnormalities are present in the complex disorder of ASD. Nutritional status plays a key role in the incidence and severity of the core symptoms of ASD. The aim of this study was to review the available peer-reviewed studies that evaluated the relationship between amino acids, choline, B vitamins, and ASD incidence and/or severity of symptoms. Through examining plasma profiles, urine samples, and dietary intake, researchers found that low choline, abnormal amino acid, and low B vitamin levels were present in children with ASD compared to those without ASD. The evidence supports the need for future research that implements simultaneous supplementation of all essential nutrients in individuals with ASD and among prenatal mothers. Future evidence could lead to scientific breakthroughs, ultimately reducing the rates of ASD incidence and severity of symptoms by applying nutritional interventions in at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Jennings
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Raedeh Basiri
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
- Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Correspondence:
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Erden S, Akbaş İleri B, Sadıç Çelikkol Ç, Nalbant K, Kılınç İ, Yazar A. Serum B12, homocysteine, and anti-parietal cell antibody levels in children with autism. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2022; 26:8-13. [PMID: 33823740 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2021.1906906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To compare vitamin B12, homocysteine, and anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) levels between children with ASD and controls, paired in terms of age, sex, and socioeconomic level. METHODS The research group consisted of 69 children, 36 with ASD and 33 controls. The severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Serum vitamin B12, homocysteine and human anti-parietal cell levels were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in children with ASD were lower than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in terms of APCA levels. CONCLUSIONS Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism. However, it is believed that these parameters should be analysed in a wider population to clarify their effect on the aetiology of ASD.KEY POINTWe hypothesised that low levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels reported in previous studies might be associated with APCA levels.The homocysteine and B12 levels were found to be significantly lower in children with ASD. There was no significant difference in serum APCA levels.No significant relationship was found between B12 levels and APCA.Given all these findings, it can be stated that vitamin B12 deficiency is not associated with an absorption-related mechanism due to the presence of APCA.Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism.In future studies, it will be beneficial to investigate other mechanisms that may cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semih Erden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Betül Akbaş İleri
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Çağla Sadıç Çelikkol
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Kevser Nalbant
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Kılınç
- Department of Biochemistry, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Yazar
- Department of Child Health and Diseases, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
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Topal Z, Tufan AE, Karadag M, Gokcen C, Akkaya C, Sarp AS, Bahsi I, Kilinc M. Evaluation of peripheral inflammatory markers, serum B12, folate, ferritin levels and clinical correlations in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nord J Psychiatry 2022; 76:150-157. [PMID: 34232109 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1946712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the current study is to compare serum B12, folate, and ferritin levels and peripheral inflammatory indicators between children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate the correlation of those with symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 203 children were evaluated (ASD = 72; ADHD = 61; HC = 70). Diagnoses of ASD and ADHD were ascertained according to Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Control group was chosen among the healthy children who applied to general pediatrics outpatient clinic. Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 is used to assess autistic symptoms and Atilla Turgay DSM-IV Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale is used for ADHD symptoms. RESULTS Neutrophil levels (p = 0.014) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p = 0.016) were higher in the ADHD and ASD groups compared to HC. Neutrophil values explained 70.1% of the variance across groups while NLR explained a further 29.9% of the variance. NLR significantly correlated with social interaction problems in ASD (r = 0.26, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of vitamin B12, folate and ferritin levels. CONCLUSION Our results may support involvement of inflammation in the underlying pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, these parameters should be analyzed in a wider population to clarify the effect on the etiology and symptomatology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Topal
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Ali Evren Tufan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Karadag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Cem Gokcen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Canan Akkaya
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Ayse Sevde Sarp
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Ilhan Bahsi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Metin Kilinc
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
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Mayengbam S, Ellegood J, Kesler M, Reimer RA, Shearer J, Murari K, Rho JM, Lerch JP, Cheng N. A ketogenic diet affects brain volume and metabolome in juvenile mice. Neuroimage 2021; 244:118542. [PMID: 34530134 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat and low-carbohydrate therapy for medically intractable epilepsy, and its applications in other neurological conditions, including those occurring in children, have been increasingly tested. However, how KD affects childhood neurodevelopment, a highly sensitive and plastic process, is not clear. In this study, we explored structural, metabolic, and functional consequences of a brief treatment of a strict KD (weight ratio of fat to carbohydrate plus protein is approximately 6.3:1) in naive juvenile mice of different inbred strains, using a multidisciplinary approach. Systemic measurements using magnetic resonance imaging revealed that unexpectedly, the volumes of most brain structures in KD-fed mice were about 90% of those in mice of the same strain but fed a standard diet. The reductions in volumes were nonselective, including different regions throughout the brain, the ventricles, and the white matter. The relative volumes of different brain structures were unaltered. Additionally, as KD is a metabolism-based treatment, we performed untargeted metabolomic profiling to explore potential means by which KD affected brain growth and to identify metabolic changes in the brain. We found that brain metabolomic profile was significantly impacted by KD, through both distinct and common pathways in different mouse strains. To explore whether the volumetric and metabolic changes induced by this KD treatment were associated with functional consequences, we recorded spontaneous EEG to measure brain network activity. Results demonstrated limited alterations in EEG patterns in KD-fed animals. In addition, we observed that cortical levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a critical molecule in neurodevelopment, did not change in KD-fed animals. Together, these findings indicate that a strict KD could affect volumetric development and metabolic profile of the brain in inbred juvenile mice, while global network activities and BDNF signaling in the brain were mostly preserved. Whether the volumetric and metabolic changes are related to any core functional consequences during neurodevelopment and whether they are also observed in humans need to be further investigated. In addition, our results indicate that certain outcomes of KD are specific to the individual mouse strains tested, suggesting that the physiological profiles of individuals may need to be examined to maximize the clinical benefit of KD.
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Brieger KK, Bakulski KM, Pearce CL, Baylin A, Dou JF, Feinberg JI, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Newschaffer CJ, Fallin MD, Schmidt RJ. The Association of Prenatal Vitamins and Folic Acid Supplement Intake with Odds of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a High-Risk Sibling Cohort, the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI). J Autism Dev Disord 2021. [PMID: 34110557 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05110-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We examined maternal prenatal vitamin use or supplemental folic acid intake during month one of pregnancy for association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, an enriched-risk pregnancy cohort. Total folic acid intake was calculated from monthly prenatal vitamins, multivitamins, and other supplement reports. Clinical assessments through age 3 years classified children as ASD (n = 38) or non-ASD (n = 153). In pregnancy month one, prenatal vitamin use (59.7%) was not significantly associated with odds of ASD (OR = 0.70, 95%CI 0.32, 1.53). Sample size was limited and residual confounding was possible. Given the estimated effect sizes in this and previous work, prenatal vitamin intake during early pregnancy could be a clinically useful preventative measure for ASD.
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Li Q, Yang T, Chen L, Dai Y, Wu LJ, Jia FY, Hao Y, Li L, Zhang J, Ke XY, Yi MJ, Hong Q, Chen JJ, Fang SF, Wang YC, Wang Q, Jin CH, Dong ZF, Chen J, Li TY. Serum Folate Status Is Primarily Associated With Neurodevelopment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Aged Three and Under-A Multi-Center Study in China. Front Nutr 2021; 8:661223. [PMID: 34055856 PMCID: PMC8155683 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.661223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Folate has been demonstrated to be associated with ASD. However, current studies on the correlation between folate and symptoms of children with ASD have inconsistent conclusions, use mainly small samples, and lack age-stratified analysis. This study aimed to explore the association between serum folate and symptoms of autistic children at different age groups from a multi-center perspective. Methods: We enrolled 1,300 children with ASD and 1,246 typically developing (TD) children under 7 years old from 13 cities in China. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Childhood autism rating scale (CARS) were used to evaluate the symptoms of children with ASD. China neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) scale was used to evaluate the neurodevelopment of children with ASD. Serum folate was measured by chemiluminescence assay in the two groups. Results: The serum folate levels of children with ASD were lower than that of TD children. In terms of core symptoms of ASD, we found that the serum folate levels were not associated with ABC, SRS, and CARS scores in ASD children of all ages but negatively associated with communication warning behavior scores of CNBS-R2016 in ASD children aged three and under. Concerning development quotients, it was at the age of three and under that serum folate levels were positively associated with gross motor, fine motor, language, and general quotient of ASD children. These ASD children aged three and under were further divided into two groups according to the median of serum folate (14.33 ng/mL); we found that compared to ASD children with folate ≤ 14.33 ng/mL, those with folate >14.33 ng/mL had lower communication warning behavior score and higher gross motor, fine motor, adaptive behavior, language, person-social, and general development quotients. Conclusion: We found that serum folate status was primarily associated with the neurodevelopment of children with ASD aged three and under. Furthermore, relatively higher serum folate levels may be more beneficial for children with ASD. Our results suggest that folate level should be paid more attention in ASD children, especially in early life, to better promote the intervention of ASD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Jie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fei-Yong Jia
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Children Health Care Center, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center of Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming-Ji Yi
- Department of Child Health Care, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qi Hong
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuan-Feng Fang
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Chao Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Deyang Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Deyang, China
| | - Chun-Hua Jin
- Department of Children Health Care, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Dong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
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Liu X, Zou M, Sun C, Wu L, Chen W. Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Offspring’s Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. J Autism Dev Disord. [PMID: 33743119 PMCID: PMC8813730 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We systematically reviewed the evidence on the association between maternal folic acid supplementation and the risk of offspring’s autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A total of 10 studies with 23 sub-studies (9795 ASD cases) were included. Folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of offspring’s ASD [OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41–0.78]. The consumption of a daily amount of at least 400 μg folic acid from dietary sources and supplements, was associated with a reduced risk of offspring ASD [OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.83]. Critical effective maternal folic acid supplementation strategies, such as intake timing and intake dosage, may aid the reduction in the risk of offspring ASD. This meta-analysis provided new insights for the prevention of offspring’s ASD.
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20
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Indika NLR, Deutz NEP, Engelen MPKJ, Peiris H, Wijetunge S, Perera R. Sulfur amino acid metabolism and related metabotypes of autism spectrum disorder: A review of biochemical evidence for a hypothesis. Biochimie 2021; 184:143-157. [PMID: 33675854 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There are multiple lines of evidence for an impaired sulfur amino acid (SAA) metabolism in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For instance, the concentrations of methionine, cysteine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) in body fluids of individuals with ASD is significantly lower while the concentration of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is significantly higher as compared to healthy individuals. Reduced methionine and SAM may reflect impaired remethylation pathway whereas increased SAH may reflect reduced S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase activity in the catabolic direction. Reduced SAM/SAH ratio reflects an impaired methylation capacity. We hypothesize multiple mechanisms to explain how the interplay of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mercury exposure, maternal use of valproate, altered gut microbiome and certain genetic variants may lead to these SAA metabotypes. Furthermore, we also propose a number of mechanisms to explain the metabolic consequences of abnormal SAA metabotypes. For instance in the brain, reduced SAM/SAH ratio will result in melatonin deficiency and hypomethylation of a number of biomolecules such as DNA, RNA and histones. In addition to previously proposed mechanisms, we propose that impaired activity of "radical SAM" enzymes will result in reduced endogenous lipoic acid synthesis, reduced molybdenum cofactor synthesis and impaired porphyrin metabolism leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, porphyrinuria and impaired sulfation capacity. Furthermore depletion of SAM may also lead to the disturbed mTOR signaling pathway in a subgroup of ASD. The proposed "SAM-depletion hypothesis" is an inclusive model to explain the relationship between heterogeneous risk factors and metabotypes observed in a subset of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neluwa-Liyanage R Indika
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
| | - Nicolaas E P Deutz
- Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Marielle P K J Engelen
- Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Hemantha Peiris
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Swarna Wijetunge
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka
| | - Rasika Perera
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
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21
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Di Y, Li Z, Li J, Cheng Q, Zheng Q, Zhai C, Kang M, Wei C, Lan J, Fan J, Ren W, Tian Y. Maternal folic acid supplementation prevents autistic behaviors in a rat model induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Food Funct 2021; 12:4544-4555. [DOI: 10.1039/d0fo02926b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Maternal FA supplementation at 4 mg kg−1 rescued the development delay, anxiety and core autism-like behaviors, and restored the abnormal synaptic spine morphology and synaptic protein expression in mPFC in the male offspring prenatally exposed to VPA.
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22
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Guo BQ, Li HB, Ding SB. Blood homocysteine levels in children with autism spectrum disorder: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2020; 291:113283. [PMID: 32763544 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Results of studies on peripheral blood levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are inconsistent, and conclusions from two previous meta-analyses on this subject published in 2012 are already outdated. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the peripheral blood Hcy data in children with ASD compared with healthy controls (HC). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to September 2019 for eligible studies, with no language restriction. Using random-effects model, we computed summary statistics. Thirty-one studies (3304 participants including 1641 cases) were included. The pooled results showed that the peripheral blood Hcy levels were significantly elevated in children with ASD when compared to HC (Hedges's g = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.36 to 0.76, P < 0.001). By sensitivity analyses, we confirmed that our results were quite robust. Additionally, no publication bias was observed in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, our study support the association of increased circulating Hcy levels with ASD in children, and the involvement of Hcy in the occurrence of ASD. However, in view of the significant between-study heterogeneity, the conclusions should be interpreted cautiously and more investigation is required.
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23
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Tsujiguchi H, Miyagi S, Nguyen TTT, Hara A, Ono Y, Kambayashi Y, Shimizu Y, Nakamura H, Suzuki K, Suzuki F, Nakamura H. Relationship between Autistic Traits and Nutrient Intake among Japanese Children and Adolescents. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12082258. [PMID: 32731611 PMCID: PMC7468902 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may lead to nutritional inadequacy. The present study examined differences in nutrient intake between children and adolescents with and without ASD. We utilized cross-sectional data from the ongoing population Shika Town rural Japanese study. The participants were 1276 Japanese pupils and students aged between 7 and 15 years. ASD traits were evaluated using the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ). Nutrient intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. A one-way analysis of covariance (one-way ANCOVA) was performed to compare the mean nutrient intakes between participants with and without ASD traits. A two-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the mean nutrient intakes among participants with and without ASD traits in different age groups (children and adolescents). The results obtained showed that the intake of carbohydrates and slightly lower intakes of protein, fat, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, retinol, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, folic acid, and pantothenic acid were higher among children and adolescents with ASD than among those without ASD. No interactions were observed between the autistic groups and age groups, excluding energy intakes. The present results indicate the importance of screening the nutrient intakes of ASD children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Tsujiguchi
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (A.H.); (K.S.); (H.N.)
- Kanazawa University Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences Research Center, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-245-2288
| | - Sakae Miyagi
- Innovative Clinical Research Center, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan;
| | - Thao Thi Thu Nguyen
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
| | - Akinori Hara
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (A.H.); (K.S.); (H.N.)
- Kanazawa University Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences Research Center, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
| | - Yasuki Ono
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, 1 Bunkyocyo, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8224, Japan;
| | - Yasuhiro Kambayashi
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoinooka, Imabari, Ehime 794-8555, Japan;
| | - Yukari Shimizu
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, 1-14 Mukaimotoorimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0961, Japan;
| | - Haruki Nakamura
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
| | - Keita Suzuki
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (A.H.); (K.S.); (H.N.)
| | - Fumihiko Suzuki
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
- Division of Dental Anesthesiology, Department of Oral Surgery, Ohu University School of Dentistry, 1-31, Misumidou, Tomitamachi, Kohriyama, Fukushima 963-8611, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (A.H.); (K.S.); (H.N.)
- Kanazawa University Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences Research Center, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 1-13 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.T.T.N.); (H.N.); (F.S.)
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24
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Guo BQ, Ding SB, Li HB. Blood biomarker levels of methylation capacity in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2020; 141:492-509. [PMID: 32173856 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the peripheral blood levels of methionine (Met), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and the SAM/SAH ratio (the most core and predictive indices of cellular methylation ability) between patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects. METHODS PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to August 2, 2019, without language restriction. The random-effects model was used to summarize effect sizes. RESULTS We retrieved 1,493 records, of which 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Our overall analyses revealed that individuals with ASD had significantly decreased levels of Met (22 studies; Hedges' g = -0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.89, -0.35), SAM (8 studies; Hedges' g = -0.60; 95% CI: -0.86, -0.34), and the SAM/SAH ratio (8 studies; Hedges' g = -0.98; 95% CI: -1.30, -0.66) and significantly increased levels of SAH (8 studies; Hedges' g = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.94). The findings of the overall analyses were quite stable after being verified by sensitivity analyses and in agreement with the corresponding outcomes of subgroup analyses. Additionally, our results from meta-analytic techniques confirmed that the effect estimates of this meta-analysis did not originate from publication bias. CONCLUSION Individuals with ASD have substantially aberrant peripheral blood levels of Met, SAM, SAH, and the SAM/SAH ratio, which supports the association between impaired methylation capacity and ASD. Therefore, further investigations into these indices as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets of ASD are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Qiang Guo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Shi-Bin Ding
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Hong-Bin Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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25
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Geryk J, Krsička D, Vlčková M, Havlovicová M, Macek M, Kremlíková Pourová R. The Key Role of Purine Metabolism in the Folate-Dependent Phenotype of Autism Spectrum Disorders: An In Silico Analysis. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10050184. [PMID: 32384607 PMCID: PMC7281253 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10050184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Folate deficiency in the critical developmental period has been repeatedly associated with an increased risk of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the key pathophysiological mechanism has not yet been identified. In this work, we focused on identifying genes whose defect has similar consequences to folate depletion in the metabolic network. Within the Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) framework, we developed a method of blocked metabolites that allowed us to define the metabolic consequences of various gene defects and folate depletion. We identified six genes (GART, PFAS, PPAT, PAICS, ATIC, and ADSL) whose blocking results in nearly the same effect in the metabolic network as folate depletion. All of these genes form the purine biosynthetic pathway. We found that, just like folate depletion, the blockade of any of the six genes mentioned above results in a blockage of purine metabolism. We hypothesize that this can lead to decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and subsequently, an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) pool in neurons in the case of rapid cell division. Based on our results, we consider the methylation defect to be a potential cause of ASD, due to the depletion of purine, and consequently S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Geryk
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-224-433-515
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26
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Hope S, Naerland T, Høiland AL, Torske T, Malt E, Abrahamsen T, Nerhus M, Wedervang-Resell K, Lonning V, Johannessen J, Steen NE, Agartz I, Stenberg N, Hundhausen T, Mørkrid L, Andreassen OA. Higher vitamin B12 levels in neurodevelopmental disorders than in healthy controls and schizophrenia: A comparison among participants between 2 and 53 years. FASEB J 2020; 34:8114-8124. [PMID: 32323402 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900855rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that both high and low levels of vitamin B12 (vitB12) may have negative health impacts. We measured VitB12 in patients with the Neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) (n = 222), comprised of Autism Spectrum Disorders, specific Developmental disorders, and Intellectual Disability (aged 2-53 years), schizophrenia (n = 401), and healthy controls (HC) (n = 483). Age-and gender-adjusted vitB12 z-scores were calculated by comparisons with a reference population (n = 76 148). We found higher vitB12 in ND (median 420 pmol/L, mean z-score: 0.30) than in HC (316 pmol/L, z-score: 0.06, P < .01) and schizophrenia (306 pmol/L, z-score: -0.02, P < .001), which was significant after adjusting for age, gender, vitB12 supplement, folate, hemoglobin, leukocytes, liver, and kidney function (P < .02). In ND, 20% (n = 44) had vitB12 above 650 pmol/L, and 1% (n = 3) had below 150 pmol/L (common reference limits). In 6.3% (n = 14) of ND, vitB12 was above 2SD of mean in the age-and gender-adjusted reference population, which was more frequent than in HC (n = 8, 1.6%), OR: 4.0, P = .001. Low vitB12 was equally frequent as in HC, and vitB12 z-scores were equal across the age groups. To conclude, vitB12 was higher in ND than in HC and schizophrenia, suggesting a specific feature of ND, which warrants further studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrun Hope
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,NORMENT, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Terje Naerland
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,National Competence Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Hypersomnias, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Høiland
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Regional Center for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tonje Torske
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Eva Malt
- Division of Mental Health, Akerhus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Abrahamsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mari Nerhus
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health, Akerhus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Kirsten Wedervang-Resell
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vera Lonning
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health, Akerhus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Nils Eiel Steen
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Stenberg
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas Hundhausen
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Lars Mørkrid
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Department of Neuro Habilitation, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
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27
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Azzini E, Ruggeri S, Polito A. Homocysteine: Its Possible Emerging Role in At-Risk Population Groups. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041421. [PMID: 32093165 PMCID: PMC7073042 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for several pathological disorders. The present review focused on the role of homocysteine (Hcy) in different population groups, especially in risk conditions (pregnancy, infancy, old age), and on its relevance as a marker or etiological factor of the diseases in these age groups, focusing on the nutritional treatment of elevated Hcy levels. In pregnancy, Hcy levels were investigated in relation to the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as small size for gestational age at birth, preeclampsia, recurrent abortions, low birth weight, or intrauterine growth restriction. In pediatric populations, Hcy levels are important not only for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and renal disease, but the most interesting evidence concerns study of elevated levels of Hcy in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Finally, a focus on the principal pathologies of the elderly (cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, osteoporosis and physical function) is presented. The metabolism of Hcy is influenced by B vitamins, and Hcy-lowering vitamin treatments have been proposed. However, clinical trials have not reached a consensus about the effectiveness of vitamin supplementation on the reduction of Hcy levels and improvement of pathological condition, especially in elderly patients with overt pathologies, suggesting that other dietary and non-dietary factors are involved in high Hcy levels. The importance of novel experimental designs focusing on intra-individual variability as a complement to the typical case-control experimental designs and the study of interactions between different factors it should be emphasized.
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Bjørklund G, Meguid NA, Dadar M, Pivina L, Kałużna-Czaplińska J, Jóźwik-Pruska J, Aaseth J, Chartrand MS, Waly MI, Al-Farsi Y, Rahman MM, Pen JJ, Chirumbolo S. Specialized Diet Therapies: Exploration for Improving Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:6771-6786. [PMID: 32065085 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200217101908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
As a major neurodevelopmental disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses deficits in communication and repetitive and restricted interests or behaviors in childhood and adolescence. Its etiology may come from either a genetic, epigenetic, neurological, hormonal, or an environmental cause, generating pathways that often altogether play a synergistic role in the development of ASD pathogenesis. Furthermore, the metabolic origin of ASD should be important as well. A balanced diet consisting of the essential and special nutrients, alongside the recommended caloric intake, is highly recommended to promote growth and development that withstand the physiologic and behavioral challenges experienced by ASD children. In this review paper, we evaluated many studies that show a relationship between ASD and diet to develop a better understanding of the specific effects of the overall diet and the individual nutrients required for this population. This review will add a comprehensive update of knowledge in the field and shed light on the possible nutritional deficiencies, metabolic impairments (particularly in the gut microbiome), and malnutrition in individuals with ASD, which should be recognized in order to maintain the improved socio-behavioral habit and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610 Mo i Rana, Norway
| | - Nagwa Abdel Meguid
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt,CONEM Egypt Child Brain Research Group, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Lyudmila Pivina
- Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan,CONEM Kazakhstan Environmental Health and Safety Research Group, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland,CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jagoda Jóźwik-Pruska
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland,CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway,Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
| | | | - Mostafa Ibrahim Waly
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman,Department of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yahya Al-Farsi
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joeri Jan Pen
- Diabetes Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit
Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium,Department of Nutrition, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy,CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
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Zhu J, Guo M, Yang T, Lai X, Tang T, Chen J, Li L, Li T. Nutritional Status and Symptoms in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Two-Center Comparative Study in Chongqing and Hainan Province, China. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:469. [PMID: 33014918 PMCID: PMC7494825 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to compare the nutritional status and symptoms of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from two regions of China, and to analyze the association between nutritional status and symptoms of ASD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 738 ASD children and 302 typically developing children (TD) were recruited from Chongqing and Hainan of China. Symptoms of ASD children were evaluated with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Neurodevelopment of ASD children was assessed with the Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS). Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric measures, biochemical detection of micronutrients, and providing questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to caregivers. Results: Comparing ASD children with local TD children, ASD children consumed fewer whole grains, milk and dairy products, beans and soy products, vegetables, and fruits than local TD children in both regions. The serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B12 (VB12), and vitamin D (VD) were consistently lower in ASD children in both regions. Comparing the ASD children between the two regions, the ASD children in Chongqing had significantly higher mean scores of CARS, SRS, and ABC than those in Hainan. The ASD children in Chongqing consumed fewer whole grains, seafood, and fruits than those in Hainan. The serum concentrations of ferritin, vitamin A (VA), VB12, and VD were reduced in the ASD children of Chongqing than those in Hainan, and the ASD children in Chongqing had higher deficiency rates of zinc, ferritin, VA, and VD than those in Hainan. The serum levels of VA, VD, and folate showed a negative association with symptom scores of ASD children. VD and zinc levels had a positive association with the GDS scores of ASD children. Conclusions: ASD children exhibit a higher risk of nutrient deficiencies than neurotypical children, and there are regional differences in the nutritional status of ASD children. Micronutrients VA, VD, folate, and zinc levels were correlated with symptoms and development of ASD children. Therefore, it is essential to provide detailed nutrition evaluation and individualized nutrition interventions for ASD children from different backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Zhu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Guo
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi Lai
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Tang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
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30
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Marrone MC, Coccurello R. Dietary Fatty Acids and Microbiota-Brain Communication in Neuropsychiatric Diseases. Biomolecules 2019; 10:biom10010012. [PMID: 31861745 PMCID: PMC7022659 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is a multimodal communication system along which immune, metabolic, autonomic, endocrine and enteric nervous signals can shape host physiology and determine liability, development and progression of a vast number of human diseases. Here, we broadly discussed the current knowledge about the either beneficial or deleterious impact of dietary fatty acids on microbiota-brain communication (MBC), and the multiple mechanisms by which different types of lipids can modify gut microbial ecosystem and contribute to the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric diseases (NPDs), such as schizophrenia (SCZ), depression and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Marrone
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Fondazione Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Complex System (ISC), 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS–S. Lucia Foundation (FSL), 00143 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Maia CS, Menezes KMCD, Tenorio FDCAM, Queiroz Júnior JRAD, Maciel GEDS. Transtorno do espectro autista e a suplementação por ácido fólico antes e durante a gestação. J bras psiquiatr 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/0047-2085000000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivo Elucidar se a suplementação com ácido fólico pouco antes da concepção e/ou durante a gestação pode estar realmente atrelado ao desenvolvimento do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA). Metódos Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura em base de dados, nos idiomas português e inglês, durante o período de novembro de 2017 até abril de 2018, com ênfase nas publicações mais recentes. Resultados Do total de 174 artigos, 87 compuseram este trabalho. Pesquisas apontam que o aumento dos casos de TEA se deve ao fato de que mais fatores genéticos estejam implicados na etiopatogênese neural. No entanto, a grande maioria dos artigos ressalta com maior precisão que há mais efeitos benéficos do uso de ácido fólico antes da concepção e durante a gestação na prevenção do TEA, assim como de outras anormalidades relacionadas aos defeitos do tubo neural. Conclusão Quando se analisa o risco-benefício da suplementação com ácido fólico nas doses recomendadas, 0,4 a 0,8 mg/dia, conclui-se que os benefícios sobrepujam os possíveis riscos de desenvolver o TEA.
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Ristori MV, Quagliariello A, Reddel S, Ianiro G, Vicari S, Gasbarrini A, Putignani L. Autism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Nutritional Interventions. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112812. [PMID: 31752095 PMCID: PMC6893818 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral syndrome that is characterized by speech and language disorders, intellectual impairment, learning and motor dysfunctions. Several genetic and environmental factors are suspected to affect the ASD phenotype including air pollution, exposure to pesticides, maternal infections, inflammatory conditions, dietary factors or consumption of antibiotics during pregnancy. Many children with ASD shows abnormalities in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, including increased intestinal permeability, overall microbiota alterations, and gut infection. Moreover, they are "picky eaters" and the existence of specific sensory patterns in ASD patients could represent one of the main aspects in hampering feeding. GI disorders are associated with an altered composition of the gut microbiota. Gut microbiome is able to communicate with brain activities through microbiota-derived signaling molecules, immune mediators, gut hormones as well as vagal and spinal afferent neurons. Since the diet induces changes in the intestinal microbiota and in the production of molecules, such as the SCFA, we wanted to investigate the role that nutritional intervention can have on GI microbiota composition and thus on its influence on behavior, GI symptoms and microbiota composition and report which are the beneficial effect on ASD conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Ristori
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Children’s Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.V.R.); (A.Q.); (S.R.)
| | - Andrea Quagliariello
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Children’s Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.V.R.); (A.Q.); (S.R.)
| | - Sofia Reddel
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Children’s Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.V.R.); (A.Q.); (S.R.)
| | - Gianluca Ianiro
- Dipartimento di Gastroenterologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Neuropsichiatria dell’infanzia e dell’adolescenza, Children’s Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- UOC Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Area Gastroenterologia ed Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.G.); (L.P.); Tel.: +39-0668-59-4127 (L.P.)
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Units of Parasitology and Human Microbiome, Children’s Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.G.); (L.P.); Tel.: +39-0668-59-4127 (L.P.)
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Ribeiro R, Nicoli JR, Santos G, Lima-Santos J. Impact of vitamin deficiency on microbiota composition and immunomodulation: relevance to autistic spectrum disorders. Nutr Neurosci 2019; 24:601-613. [PMID: 31506005 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2019.1660485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Inappropriate vitamin supply is a public health problem and is related to abnormalities in brain development, immune response and, more recently, in changes of gut microbial composition. It is known that low levels of vitamin in early life are linked to increased susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Unfortunately, the possible peripheral influences of vitamin deficiency that leads to alterations in the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis, one important modulator of the ASD pathology, remain unclear. This narrative review discusses how the impact of vitamin deficiency results in changes in the immune regulation and in the gut microbiota composition, trying to understand how these changes may contribute for the development and severity of ASD. METHODS The papers were selected using Pubmed and other databases. This review discusses the following topics: (1) vitamin deficiency in alterations of central nervous system in autism, (2) the impact of low levels of vitamins in immunomodulation and how it can favor imbalance in gut microbiota composition and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, (3) gut microbiota imbalance/inflammation associated with the ASD pathophysiology, and (4) possible evidences of the role of vitamin deficiency in dysfunctional gut microbiota-immune-brain axis in ASD. RESULTS Studies indicate that hypovitaminosis A, B12, D, and K have been co-related with the ASD neuropathology. Furthermore, it was shown that low levels of these vitamins favor the Th1/Th17 environment in the gut, as well as the growth of enteropathogens linked to GI disorders. DISCUSSION GI disorders and alterations in the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis seems to be linked with ASD severity. Although unclear, hypovitaminosis appears to regulate peripherally the ASD pathophysiology by modulating the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis, however, more research is still necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ribeiro
- Departament of Biologic Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilheus, Brazil
| | - Jacques Robert Nicoli
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gesivaldo Santos
- Departament of Biologic Sciences, State University of the Southwest of Bahia, Jequie, Brazil
| | - Jane Lima-Santos
- Departament of Biologic Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilheus, Brazil
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Zhang Q, Wu H, Zou M, Li L, Li Q, Sun C, Xia W, Cao Y, Wu L. Folic acid improves abnormal behavior via mitigation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and ferroptosis in the BTBR T+ tf/J mouse model of autism. J Nutr Biochem 2019; 71:98-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Guo BQ, Li HB, Zhai DS, Ding SB. Association of maternal prenatal folic acid intake with subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorder in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 94:109650. [PMID: 31085214 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of studies have explored the link of antenatal folic acid (FA) intake with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, with inconsistent findings. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies to elucidate the actual association between maternal FA intake during the prenatal period and the risk of ASD in offspring. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched up to June 7, 2018, without language restriction. The random-effects model was applied to summarize results. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled separately. RESULTS Eight observational studies (a total of 13 reports; 840,776 children and 7127 cases) were included. FA intake was mainly estimated from self-report of mothers or available databases. The results of overall analysis from 6 studies (9 reports) combined by OR and 2 studies (4 reports) presenting HR showed that the likelihoods of ASD in offspring whose mothers were prenatally exposed to FA did not vary significantly compared with those in offspring of mothers without such exposure (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.73-1.13 and HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.38-1.17, respectively). Further analysis revealed that the primary outcome of the meta-analysis was stable regardless of the study design, and not unduly affected by any single report. Additionally, no publication bias was observed, and the findings of overall analysis were in agreement with those of subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS This study does not provide support for the association between maternal FA intake during the prenatal period and the reduced risk of ASD in children. However, in view of the types and limited number of studies in the literature, more investigation is needed to confirm the findings of this meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Qiang Guo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China.
| | - Hong-Bin Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
| | - De-Sheng Zhai
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
| | - Shi-Bin Ding
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
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Belardo A, Gevi F, Zolla L. The concomitant lower concentrations of vitamins B6, B9 and B12 may cause methylation deficiency in autistic children. J Nutr Biochem 2019; 70:38-46. [PMID: 31151052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by severe and persistent difficulties in social communication and social interaction at multiple levels. Recently, metabolic disorders have been associated with most cases of patients with ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a new and more sophisticated mass technique, such as UHPLC-mass spectrometry (Q-exactive analyzer), alteration in metabolisms analyzing ASD children urine samples from children showing simultaneous vitamin B6, B9 and B12 deficiencies. This in order to study how these concurrent deficiencies may influence some phenotypic aspects of autistic disorder. Thus, urinary metabolic patterns specific to ASD were explored at an early age in 60 children with ASD, showing lower three vitamins levels, and 60 corresponding controls (age group 3-8, M: F=42:18). The results showed significant block of cystathionine formation with consequent accumulation of homocysteine. A lower glutathione levels (GSH), with reduction of essential intracellular reducing environment required for normal immune function, detoxification capacity and redox-sensitive enzyme activity. Increased concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which leads to a lower availability of methyl group and significant decrease in urinary methionine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) concentrations, the major methyl donor. The latter justify the well-known reduction in protein and DNA methylation reported in autistic children. As a final consideration, the concomitant deficiencies of all three B vitamins, recorded in a significant number of autistic children, suggests that intestinal dysbiosis in these patients may be the main cause of a reduction in their absorption, in addition to the genetic mutation of a specific gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Belardo
- University of Tuscia, Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, 01110 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federica Gevi
- University of Tuscia, Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Lello Zolla
- University of Tuscia, Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
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Bjørklund G, Waly MI, Al-Farsi Y, Saad K, Dadar M, Rahman MM, Elhoufey A, Chirumbolo S, Jóźwik-Pruska J, Kałużna-Czaplińska J. The Role of Vitamins in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know? J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:373-387. [PMID: 30607900 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1237-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin or mineral supplementation is considered to be the most commonly used medical treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in addition to other interventions such as neurological and psychological interventions. There is not much evidence of therapeutic efficacy between vitamin and mineral supplementation and improvements in ASD. However, several researchers have noted that patients with ASD have various metabolic and nutritional abnormalities including issues with sulfation, methylation, glutathione redox imbalances, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. There is some evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation may support these basic physiologic processes. Recently, the nutritional status of ASD patients has been gaining focus in this particular area. Pointing out the nutritional status as a potential etiological factor for attention/communication disorders, more importance has been given to this particular point. Moreover, autistic specific considerations like the feature and behavior of ASD might be increased or at least fall in the higher risk due to the sub-optimal nutritional status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Mostafa I Waly
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Yahya Al-Farsi
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Khaled Saad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- CONEM Upper Egypt Pediatric Research Group, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Amira Elhoufey
- CONEM Upper Egypt Pediatric Research Group, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
| | - Jagoda Jóźwik-Pruska
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
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Yektaş Ç, Alpay M, Tufan AE. Comparison of serum B12, folate and homocysteine concentrations in children with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and healthy controls. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:2213-2219. [PMID: 31496704 PMCID: PMC6689552 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s212361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the serum concentrations of vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine concentrations were measured in 118 children (48 children diagnosed with ADHD, 35 children diagnosed with ASD and 35 healthy controls). Symptom severity in the ADHD and ASD groups was evaluated by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Turgay-DSM-IV-Based Screening and Assessment Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effects of diagnosis and gender on biochemical parameters. RESULTS The ADHD and ASD groups and the healthy controls differed significantly regarding vitamin B12 and homocysteine concentrations, but not folate levels. Patients with ASD had the lowest vitamin B12 and the highest homocysteine levels. Vitamin B12 levels correlated negatively with hyperactivity and/orimpulsivity and oppositionality symptoms in children with ADHD. There were no relationships between psychometric evaluations and laboratory measurements in children with ASD. Gender did not affect vitamin concentrations. CONCLUSION Previous studies found that vitamin B12 was reduced while homocysteine was elevated among patients with ADHD and ASDs. Our results also support those reported previously. Oppositionality and hyperactivity and/orimpulsivity may be related to vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in children with ADHD. Further studies are required to define the role of these parameters and effects on the etiology and clinical manifestations of ASD and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çiğdem Yektaş
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Düzce Üniversitesi, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Merve Alpay
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce Üniversitesi, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Ali Evren Tufan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Acıbadem Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Istanbul, Turkey
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Guo M, Li L, Zhang Q, Chen L, Dai Y, Liu L, Feng J, Cai X, Cheng Q, Chen J, Wei H, Li T. Vitamin and mineral status of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hainan Province of China: associations with symptoms. Nutr Neurosci 2018; 23:803-810. [PMID: 30570388 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2018.1558762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study was designed to compare the vitamin and mineral levels of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with those of age-matched typically developing (TD) children and to investigate their effects on the symptoms of autistic children. Methods: The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) were completed for 274 children diagnosed with ASD. Vitamins and minerals were compared for all ASD children and 97 age-matched TD children. Serum levels of vitamin A (VA) were detected with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); those of vitamin D (VD), folate, vitamin B12 (VB12), and ferritin were measured with immunoassay methods; and those of minerals were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two groups. Results: The VD and folate levels of children with ASD were significantly lower than those of TD children. The levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in children with ASD were significantly lower than those in TD children, and no significant difference was found in copper (Cu) levels. Correlation analysis showed that VA and Ca levels were negatively correlated with ASD symptoms. Folate, Ca, Fe and Zn were positively correlated with the GDS scores of autistic children. There were no significant interactions among VD, VB12 and ferritin and symptoms. Conclusion: We found that children with autism had more vitamin and mineral insufficiencies than TD children, and their levels were related to ASD symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to formulate a detailed nutritional evaluation for ASD children and provide timely and intensive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Guo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Li
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Dai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan Liu
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqing Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofan Cai
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Wei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingyu Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Altun H, Kurutaş EB, Şahin N, Güngör O, Fındıklı E. The Levels of Vitamin D, Vitamin D Receptor, Homocysteine and Complex B Vitamin in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2018; 16:383-390. [PMID: 30466210 PMCID: PMC6245292 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2018.16.4.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with an increasingly prevalent etiology, yet not fully understood. It has been thought that vitamin D, complex B vitamin levels and homocysteine are associated with environmental factors and are important in ASD. The aim of this study was to examine serum vitamin D, vitamin D receptor (VDR), homocysteine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate levels in ASD. Methods In this study, serum vitamin D and VDR, homocysteine, vitamins B6, B12 and folate levels were determined in 60 patients with ASD (aged 3 to 12 years) and in 45 age-gender matched healthy controls. In addition, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, which are associated with vitamin D metabolism, were measured from serum in both groups. ASD severity was evaluted by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results Serum vitamin D and VDR were substantially reduced in patients with ASD in comparision to control group. However, homocysteine level was significantly higher and vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate were also reduced in patients with ASD. Total CARS score showed a positive association with homocysteine and a negative correlation with vitamins D,B6, B12, folate and VDR. Conclusion This comprehensive study, which examines many parameters has shown that low serum levels of vitamins D, B6, B12, folate and VDR as well as high homocysteine are important in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. However, further studies are required to define the precise mechanism(s) of these parameters and their contributions to the etiology and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Altun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Ergül Belge Kurutaş
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Nilfer Şahin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey
| | - Olcay Güngör
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Ebru Fındıklı
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
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Esteban-Figuerola P, Canals J, Fernández-Cao JC, Arija Val V. Differences in food consumption and nutritional intake between children with autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children: A meta-analysis. Autism 2018; 23:1079-1095. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318794179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Esteban-Figuerola
- Nutrition and Mental Health Research Group (NUTRISAM)., Rovira i Virgili University (URV)., Tarragona, Spain
- Research Centre for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, URV., Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), URV., Tarragona, Spain
| | - Josefa Canals
- Nutrition and Mental Health Research Group (NUTRISAM)., Rovira i Virgili University (URV)., Tarragona, Spain
- Research Centre for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, URV., Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), URV., Tarragona, Spain
| | - José Cándido Fernández-Cao
- Nutrition and Mental Health Research Group (NUTRISAM)., Rovira i Virgili University (URV)., Tarragona, Spain
- Departamento de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile
| | - Victoria Arija Val
- Nutrition and Mental Health Research Group (NUTRISAM)., Rovira i Virgili University (URV)., Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), URV., Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació en Atenció Primària IDIAP Jordi Gol., Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract
Breast milk is the universal preferred nutrition for the newborn human infant. New mother have been encouraged to exclusively breastfeed by health care professionals and consumer-advocacy forums for years, citing "breast milk is the perfect food". The benefits are numerous and include psychological, convenience, economical, ecological and nutritionally superior. Human milk is a composite of nutritional choices of the mother, commencing in the pre-conceptual era. Events influencing the eventual nutritional profile of breast milk for the neonate start with pre-conceptual dietary habits through pregnancy and finally to postpartum. Food choices do affect the nutritional profile of human breast milk. It is not known who coined the phrase "breast milk is the perfect food" but it is widely prevalent in the literature. While breast milk is highly nutritive, containing important immunological and growth factors, scientific investigation reveals a few short-falls. Overall, human breast milk has been found to be low in certain nutrients in developed countries: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and vitamin K. Additional nutrient deficiencies have been documented in resource-poor countries: vitamin A, vitamin B 12, zinc, and vitamin B 1/thiamin. Given these findings, isn't it more accurate to describe breast milk as "conditionally perfect"? Correcting the impression that breast milk is an inherently, automatically comprehensive enriched product would encourage women who plan to breastfeed an opportunity to concentrate on dietary improvement to optimizes nutrient benefits ultimately to the neonate. The more immediate result would improve pre-conceptual nutritional status. Here, we explore the nutritional status of groups of young women; some of whom will become pregnant and eventually produce breast milk. We will review the available literature profiling vitamin, mineral, protein and caloric content of breast milk. We highlight pre-existing situations needing correction to optimize conception and fetal development. While alternative forms of infant nutrition carry standard product labels of nutrient adequacy, this information does not apply universally to all breast milk. Infant formulas are fortified with various amounts of vitamins, minerals, supplemental protein concentrates, nucleic factors, omega 3 fatty acids and any important new nutritional finding. Infant formulas are manufactured to be consistent in composition and are monitored closely for quality. Not true for human breast milk. Any nutrient deficiency existing in pregnancy will ultimately be carried forward via lactation. It is a biological impossibility for a lactating woman to transfer nutrients via breast milk she does not have!
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Erick
- Department of Nutrition, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Wang M, Li K, Zhao D, Li L. The association between maternal use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders in children: a meta-analysis. Mol Autism 2017; 8:51. [PMID: 29026508 PMCID: PMC5625821 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous reviews have been conducted to evaluate the association between maternal use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children, with no definitive conclusion. We therefore conducted a more comprehensive meta-analysis to reassess the relationship between folic acid and the risk of ASD. The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Wanfang Data were carefully searched to find eligible studies as recent as March 2017. A random effects model was used to combine the relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were conducted. A total of 12 articles with 16 studies comprising 4514 ASD cases were included in this report. It was found that supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy could reduce the risk of ASD [RR = 0.771, 95% CI = 0.641–0.928, I2 = 59.7%, Pheterogeneity = 0.001] as compared to those women without folic acid supplementation. The associations were significant among Asian, European, and American populations. In summary, this comprehensive meta-analysis suggested that maternal use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy could significantly reduce the risk of ASD in children regardless of ethnicity, as compared to those women who did not supplement with folic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyun Wang
- Department of Pediatric Health Care, Ji'nan Children's Hospital of Shandong University, No. 23976, Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong Province 250022 China
| | - Kaiqin Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Central Hospital of Linyi City, Linyi, Shandong 276000 China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Health Care, Ji'nan Children's Hospital of Shandong University, No. 23976, Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong Province 250022 China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Pediatric Health Care, Ji'nan Children's Hospital of Shandong University, No. 23976, Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong Province 250022 China
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44
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Li YJ, Li YM, Xiang DX. Supplement intervention associated with nutritional deficiencies in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Eur J Nutr 2017; 57:2571-2582. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-017-1528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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45
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Esnafoğlu E, Yaman E. Vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine and vitamin D levels in children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res 2017; 254:232-237. [PMID: 28477545 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex disorder with a poorly understood aetiopathogenesis. One carbon metabolism that includes vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine has been investigated in many psychiatric disorders like OCD. In recent years, vitamin D has also been considered to contribute to many of these psychiatric disorders. In this study we investigated whether vitamin B12, homocysteine and vitamin D play a role in the aetiology of paediatric OCD. With this aim we compared 52 children and adolescent OCD patients with 30 healthy controls. The participants were tested for vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine and vitamin D levels and were evaluated with a sociodemographic form, state-trait anxiety inventory 1 and 2, Kovacs Depression Inventory and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). As a result we found significantly lower levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D and higher levels of homocysteine in the patient group compared to control group (p values for all three scores were <0.001), whereas there was no significant difference between groups in terms of folate levels (p=0.083). This demonstrates that one carbon metabolism and vitamin D deficiency can play a role in the aetiology of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erman Esnafoğlu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Training and Research Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
| | - Elif Yaman
- Department of Pediatry, Training and Research Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
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Trivedi MS, Holger D, Bui AT, Craddock TJA, Tartar JL. Short-term sleep deprivation leads to decreased systemic redox metabolites and altered epigenetic status. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181978. [PMID: 28738082 PMCID: PMC5524320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is critical for repair as well as the rejuvenation processes in the body and many of these functions are regulated via underlying cellular metabolic homeostasis. Changes in sleep pattern are reported to alter such metabolic function resulting in altered disease susceptibility or behavior. Here, we measured the extent to which overnight total sleep deprivation (SD) in young adult humans can influence systemic (plasma-derived) redox-metabolism including the major antioxidant, glutathione as well as DNA methylation levels. Nineteen participants (n = 19, μ age = 21, SD = 3.09) underwent morning testing before and after overnight total SD. Biochemical measures before and after SD revealed that glutathione, ATP, cysteine, and homocysteine levels were significantly reduced following one night of sleep deprivation (all p’s < 0.01). Parallel to the well-recognized fact that sleep deprivation (maintaining wakefulness) uses up metabolic reserves, we observed that morning cortisol levels were blunted after sleep deprivation. There were no significant correlations between self-reported or actigraphy-measured sleep and the biochemical measurements, strongly indicating that prior sleep behavior did not have any direct influence on the biochemical measures taken at baseline or after sleep deprivation. Results from the current investigation supports the previous literature implicating the induction of oxidative stress and ATP depletion with sleep deprivation. Furthermore, such altered antioxidant status can also induce downstream epigenetic changes. Although we did not measure the specific genes that were altered under the influence of such sleep deprivation, such epigenetic changes could potentially contribute towards disease predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malav S. Trivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dana Holger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
| | - Anh Tuyet Bui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
| | - Travis J. A. Craddock
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Computer Science, and Clinical Immunology, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
- Clinical Systems Biology Group, Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jaime L. Tartar
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America
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El-Ansary A, Al-Salem HS, Asma A, Al-Dbass A. Glutamate excitotoxicity induced by orally administered propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid can be ameliorated by bee pollen. Lipids Health Dis 2017; 16:96. [PMID: 28532421 PMCID: PMC5440900 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-017-0485-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent models may guide investigations towards identifying either environmental neuro-toxicants or drugs with neuro-therapeutic effects. This work aims to study the therapeutic effects of bee pollen on brain glutamate excitotoxicity and the impaired glutamine-glutamate- gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) circuit induced by propionic acid (PPA), a short chain fatty acid, in rat pups. METHODS Twenty-four young male Western Albino rats 3-4 weeks of age, and 45-60 g body weight were enrolled in the present study. They were grouped into four equal groups: Group 1, the control received phosphate buffered saline at the same time of PPA adminstration; Group 2, received 750 mg/kg body weight divided into 3 equal daily doses and served as acute neurotoxic dose of PPA; Group 3, received 750 mg/kg body weight divided in 10 equal doses of 75 mg/kg body weight/day, and served as the sub-acute group; and Group 4, the therapeutic group, was treated with bee pollen (50 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days after acute PPA intoxication. GABA, glutamate and glutamine were measured in the brain homogenates of the four groups. RESULTS The results showed that PPA caused multiple signs of excitotoxicity, as measured by the elevation of glutamate and the glutamate/glutamine ratio and the decrease of GABA, glutamine and the GABA/glutamate ratio. Bee pollen was effective in counteracting the neurotoxic effects of PPA to a certain extent. CONCLUSION In conclusion, bee pollen demonstrates ameliorating effects on glutamate excitotoxicity and the impaired glutamine-glutamate-GABA circuit as two etiological mechanisms in PPA-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afaf El-Ansary
- Central Laboratory, Female Center for Medical Studies and Scientific Section, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. .,Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. .,Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. .,Medicinal Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Huda S Al-Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alqahtani Asma
- Central Laboratory, Female Center for Medical Studies and Scientific Section, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Al-Dbass
- Department of Biochemistry, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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48
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Yu XF, Li M, Zheng Y. [Association between maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring: a Meta analysis]. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2017; 19:286-291. [PMID: 28302198 PMCID: PMC7390139 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2017.03.007] [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] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantitatively and comprehensively investigate the association between maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, and Chinese Biomedical Database were searched to collect the articles on maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy and the risk of ASD in children. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the effect size. Stata 12.0 software was used for the Meta analysis. Publication bias evaluation and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS A total of 10 articles were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 15 studies which involved 4 459 cases and 1 225 835 controls. The Meta analysis showed that maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of ASD in the offspring in the total population (OR=0.798, 95%CI: 0.669-0.952, P=0.012). The subgroup analysis revealed that maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of ASD in the offspring in both the Asian population (OR=0.664, 95%CI: 0.428-1.032, P=0.069) and the Western population (OR=0.817, 95%CI: 0.671-0.996, P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS Maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of ASD in the offspring, especially in the Western population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fang Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832008, China.
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Shaik Mohammad N, Sai Shruti P, Bharathi V, Krishna Prasad C, Hussain T, Alrokayan SA, Naik U, Radha Rama Devi A. Clinical utility of folate pathway genetic polymorphisms in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders: . Psychiatr Genet 2016; 26:281-6. [DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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50
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Abstract
Vitamin B-12 is essential for brain development, neural myelination, and cognitive function. Inadequate vitamin B-12 status during pregnancy and early childhood has been associated with adverse child health outcomes, including impaired cognitive development. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. This review was conducted to examine the evidence that links vitamin B-12 and cognition in children. The search strategy resulted in 17 studies: 3 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 12 cohort studies, and 1 randomized trial. Cognitive processes assessed included attention, memory, and perception. Developmental outcomes, academic performance, and intelligence quotient were also considered. Despite the high prevalence of vitamin B-12 insufficiency and associated risk of adverse cognitive outcomes in children, to our knowledge, no studies to date have been conducted to examine the effects of vitamin B-12 supplementation on cognition in children. The role of vitamin B-12 in the etiology of child cognitive outcomes needs to be elucidated to inform public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara J Strupp
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and,Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and
| | - Julia L Finkelstein
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
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