Excerpt:
“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)].”
In chemistry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2). Examples of ROS include peroxides, superoxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and alpha-oxygen. – Superoxide Ion: Generation and Chemical Implications
Excerpt:
“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)].”
Excerpt:
“Six case-control studies with 425 study subjects met our inclusion criteria. A total of four studies indicated higher levels of As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Al, Sn, Sb, Ba, TI, W, and Zr in whole blood, RBC, in whole blood, RBC, and hair samples of children with autism compared with control suggestive of a greater toxic metal exposure (immediate and long-term). Three studies identified significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and Hg in urine and hair samples of autistic children compared to control suggesting decreased excretion and possible high body burden of these metals. The findings from this review demonstrate that high levels of toxic metals are associated with ASD, therefore, critical care is necessary to reduce body burden of these metals in children with ASD as a major therapeutic strategy.”
Except:
“There is a growing body of work to support the role of inflammatory cytokines in ASD. An emerging focus of research into the etiology of ASD has suggested neuroinflammation as one of the major candidates underlying the biologica model [5]. Plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 were increased in children with ASD and correlated with regressive autism, as well as impaired communication and aberrant behavior [6-8]. Vargas [9] showed an active neuroinflammatory process in the cerebral cortex, white matter, and in the cerebellum of autistic patients. Immunocytochemichal studies showed marked activation of microglia [5].”
Excerpt: “Taken together, the results suggest a close link between oxidative stress neuroinflamation and degeneration in aluminium-fluoride toxicity.”
Excerpts:
“The current literature suggests an imbalance of oxidative and anti-oxidative stress systems in autism. Glutathione is involved in neuro-protection against oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation in autism by improving the anti-oxidative stress system. Decreasing the oxidative stress might be a potential treatment for autism.”
Excerpt:
“In conclusion, these data suggest that thimerosal induced U937 activation via oxidative stress from mitochondrial stores and mitochondrial membrane depolarization with a primordial effect of thiol groups.”
Excerpt:
“In autism, over-zealous neuroinflammatory responses could not only influence neural developmental processes, but may more significantly impair neural signaling involved in cognition in an ongoing fashion.”
Exceprts:
We also discuss evidence implicating oxidative stress, neuroglial activation and neuroimmunity in autism.
“Oxidative stress is another possible cause of Purkinje cell loss and other neuroanatomical changes described in autistic brains (reviewed in (37, 113)). Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of reactive oxygen species exceed the antioxidant capacities of a cell, often leading to cell death. Because of its very high oxygen demands and limited anti-oxidant capacity, the brain is thought to be relatively vulnerable to oxidative stress (111). Several studies have shown decreased levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, transferrin and ceruloplasmin in the blood or serum of patients with ASD (38, 108, 222). Significant elevations in biomarker profiles indicating increased oxidative stress, such as increased lipid peroxidation, have also been documented in autism (38, 107, 229).Interestingly, in one report the alterations in antioxidant proteins were linked specifically to regressive autism, suggesting a postnatal environmental effect (38). Polymorphisms in metabolic pathway genes may contribute to the increased oxidative stress in autism (108). Advanced glycationend products have also been reported to be elevated in both the brain tissue and serum of autistic patients, a change which can also lead to increased oxidative damage (23,110).”
Excerpt: “Upon completion of this article, participants should be able to: 1. Be aware of laboratory and clinical evidence of greater oxidative stress in autism. 2. Understand how gut, brain, nutritional, and toxic status in autism are consistent with greater oxidative stress. 3. Describe how anti-oxidant nutrients are used in the contemporary treatment of autism.”
Excerpt:
“In this study, we show that thimerosal, at nanomolar concentrations, induces neuronal cell death through the mitochondrial pathway.”