Changes in nitric oxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities may have a role in the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in autism.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that oxygen free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Although it has not been investigated yet, several recent studies proposed that nitric oxide (NO) and other parameters related to oxidative stress may have a pathophysiological role in autism.


METHODS
We assessed the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels in plasma as well as NO levels in red blood cells (RBC) in patients with autism (n=27) compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n=30).


RESULTS
In the autistic group, increased RBC NO levels (p<0.0001) and plasma GSH-Px activity (p<0.0001) and unchanged plasma TBARS levels and SOD activity were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate a possible role of increased oxidative stress and altered enzymatic antioxidants, both of which may be relevant to the pathophysiology of autism.
Söğüt
Sadik
S
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Inönü University, Pasakosku Mahallesi 11, Sok. Ozkaracalar Apt. No: 42/4, Malatya 44200, Turkey.
Zoroğlu
S Salih
SS
Ozyurt
Hüseyin
H
Yilmaz
H Ramazan
HR
Ozuğurlu
Fikret
F
Sivasli
Ercan
E
Yetkin
Ozer
O
Yanik
Medaim
M
Tutkun
Hamdi
H
Savaş
Haluk A
HA
Tarakçioğlu
Mehmet
M
Akyol
Omer
O
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism*
D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase