A clinical and laboratory evaluation of methionine cycle-transsulfuration and androgen pathway markers in children with autistic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is 1 in 300 children in the US. ASDs are characterized by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, abnormal movement patterns, and sensory dysfunction. Pre-pubertal age children with ASDs were assessed for metabolites in the methionine cycle-transsulfuration and androgen pathways, and for present physical development/behaviors indicative of hyperandrogenicity.


METHODS
The Institutional Review Board of the Institute for Chronic Illnesses (Office for Human Research Protections, US Department of Health and Human Services IRB number: IRB00005375) approved the present study. Sixteen consecutive pre-pubertal age children (</=11 years old; mean +/- SD: 5.9 +/- 2.1 years old) with previously diagnosed ASDs that presented to the Genetic Centers of America for outpatient care were evaluated.


RESULTS
Significantly (p < 0.01) increased levels of serum/plasma dehydroepiandrosterone and serum total testosterone relative to the age- and sex-specific normal laboratory reference ranges were observed. Conversely, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased. Plasma-reduced glutathione (p < 0.01), plasma cysteine (p < 0.01), plasma methionine (p < 0.01), serum cystathionine (p < 0.05), and serum homocysteine (p < 0.01) were all significantly decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a possible cyclical interaction between the methionine cycle-transsulfuration and androgen pathways in some children with ASDs.
Geier
David A
DA
The Genetic Centers of America, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
Geier
Mark R
MR
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003540:Cystathionine / Q000097:blood; D003545:Cysteine / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013466:Sulfurtransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D003540:Cystathionine; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008715:Methionine; D013466:Sulfurtransferases; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine