title: Changes in nitric oxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities may have a role in the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in autism.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Inönü University, Pasakosku Mahallesi 11, Sok. Ozkaracalar Apt. No: 42/4, Malatya 44200, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sadik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Söğüt
authors.forename: S Salih
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Zoroğlu
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozyurt
authors.forename: H Ramazan
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozuğurlu
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sivasli
authors.forename: Ozer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yetkin
authors.forename: Medaim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yanik
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tutkun
authors.forename: Haluk A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Savaş
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarakçioğlu
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akyol
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase