Ubiquinol improves symptoms in children with autism.
BACKGROUND
Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders with manifestation within 3 years after birth. Manifestations of autism include behavior problems (hyperactivity, toys destruction, self-harm, and aggression) and sleep and eating disorders. Etiology of autism is poorly understood. Oxidative stress and antioxidants can participate in pathobiochemical mechanisms of autism.


METHODS
Twenty-four children, aged 3-6 years, with autism according to the DSM IV criteria and using CARS were included in the study. Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL, γ- and α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and lipid peroxidation were determined in plasma before and after three months of supportive therapy with ubiquinol at a daily dose 2 × 50 mg. Data on behavior of the children were collected from parents at the same time.


RESULTS
Ubiquinol supportive therapy improved symptoms in children with autism, as communication with parents (in 12%), verbal communication (in 21%), playing games of children (in 42%), sleeping (in 34%), and food rejection (in 17%), with CoQ10-TOTAL plasma level above 2.5 μmol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Beneficial effect of ubiquinol in children with autism has been demonstrated for the first time. We assume that plasma concentration of CoQ10-TOTAL and lipid peroxidation could be used as relevant biomarkers of ubiquinol supportive therapy.
Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Medical Department, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Anna
0000-0002-5139-9213
A
Gvozdjáková
Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Medical Department, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Jarmila
J
Kucharská
Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Daniela
D
Ostatníková
Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Katarína
K
Babinská
Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Medical Department, Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Dalibor
D
Nakládal
Department of Biological Science, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 47901, USA.
Fred L
FL
Crane
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001519:Behavior; D001665:Binding Sites; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014451:Ubiquinone; C003741:ubiquinol