Changes in Nitric Oxide Levels and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities May Have a Role in the Pathophysiological Mechanisms Involved in Autism

Overview

Journal Clin Chim Acta

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 2003 Apr 15

PMID 12691871

Citations 73

Authors

Sadik Sogut

S Salih Zoroglu

Huseyin Ozyurt

H Ramazan Yilmaz

Fikret Ozugurlu

Ercan Sivasli

Ozer Yetkin

Medaim Yanik

Hamdi Tutkun

Haluk A Savas

Mehmet Tarakcioglu

Omer Akyol

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that oxygen free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Although it has not been investigated yet, several recent studies proposed that nitric oxide (NO) and other parameters related to oxidative stress may have a pathophysiological role in autism.

Methods: We assessed the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels in plasma as well as NO levels in red blood cells (RBC) in patients with autism (n=27) compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n=30).

Results: In the autistic group, increased RBC NO levels (p<0.0001) and plasma GSH-Px activity (p<0.0001) and unchanged plasma TBARS levels and SOD activity were detected.

Conclusions: These findings indicate a possible role of increased oxidative stress and altered enzymatic antioxidants, both of which may be relevant to the pathophysiology of autism.

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