title: Altered vascular phenotype in autism: correlation with oxidative stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism is a neurologic disorder characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. Results of previous studies showed biochemical evidence for abnormal platelet reactivity and altered blood flow in children with autism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the vascular phenotype in children with autism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary levels of isoprostane F(2alpha)-VI, a marker of lipid peroxidation; 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B(2), which reflects platelet activation; and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha), a marker of endothelium activation, were measured by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in subjects with autism and healthy control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with a clinical diagnosis of autism attending the Pfeiffer Treatment Center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with controls, children with autism had significantly higher urinary levels of isoprostane F(2alpha)-VI, 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B(2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha). Lipid peroxidation levels directly correlated with both vascular biomarker ratios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides enhanced oxidative stress, platelet and vascular endothelium activation also could contribute to the development and clinical manifestations of autism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Yuemang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Woody R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: McGinnis
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Praticò
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers