Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder-Current Progress of Mechanisms and Biomarkers

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Mar 1;13:813304.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.813304. eCollection 2022.

Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder-Current Progress of Mechanisms and Biomarkers

Xukun Liu 1 2 3 , Jing Lin 1 , Huajie Zhang 1 , Naseer Ullah Khan 1 , Jun Zhang 1 , Xiaoxiao Tang 1 , Xueshan Cao 1 , Liming Shen 1 2 4

Affiliations

1 College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
2 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.
3 Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, Shenzhen, China.
4 Brain Disease and Big Data Research Institute, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that has been diagnosed in an increasing number of children around the world. Existing data suggest that early diagnosis and intervention can improve ASD outcomes. However, the causes of ASD remain complex and unclear, and there are currently no clinical biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder. More mechanisms and biomarkers of autism have been found with the development of advanced technology such as mass spectrometry. Many recent studies have found a link between ASD and elevated oxidative stress, which may play a role in its development. ASD is caused by oxidative stress in several ways, including protein post-translational changes (e.g., carbonylation), abnormal metabolism (e.g., lipid peroxidation), and toxic buildup [e.g., reactive oxygen species (ROS)]. To detect elevated oxidative stress in ASD, various biomarkers have been developed and employed. This article summarizes recent studies about the mechanisms and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Potential biomarkers identified in this study could be used for early diagnosis and evaluation of ASD intervention, as well as to inform and target ASD pharmacological or nutritional treatment interventions.