Effect of camel milk on thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in autistic children: double-blind study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the role of the effectiveness of camel milk (CM) (raw and boiled) on thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) serum levels and childhood autism rating scale (CARS) score in subjects with autism and compared to placebo group (cow milk). Methods: Forty-five subjects diagnosed with autism were randomly assigned to receive boiled CM for group I (n = 15), raw CM for group II (n = 15), and placebo for group III (n = 15) for 2 wk. Measures included changes in professionally completed CARS score and blood samples for TARC serum level were taken before and after milk consumption of 500 ml per day in children's regular daily diet. results: The serum levels of TARC decreased significantly (P = 0.004) in boiled CM and in raw CM group (P = 0.01) too, but no effect was observed (P = 0.68) in placebo group. Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in CARS score (P = 0.04) in raw CM group only. There were no significant relationships between the serum of TARC level and the CARS score, age, or gender for any group. conclusion: CM administered for 2 wk significantly improved clinical measurements of autism severity and decreased serum level of TARC in autistic children, but subsequent studies are recommended.

Immunological Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Potential Target for Therapy

“…The use of immune-based therapies may be a possible treatment route for some individuals, but only a few studies aimed at immunomodulation have been performed on ASD patients. These studies cover an extensive range of drug classes, including plant products, dietary supplements, probiotics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulators, cell therapies, and even curious substances such as camel milk [241,242]. Most are case reports or open trials with no control group.…”

Neonatal Microbiome and the Gut–Brain Axis: Is It the Origin of Adult Diseases?

“…Common postulated risk factors include a positive family history, male sex, advanced maternal age, low level of parental education, low birth weight, and prenatal virus or drug exposure. 24 Other risk factors include infection, thalidomide exposure, and maternal smoking. Although the etiology of autism is not yet clear, genetic and environmental influences, including abnormal microbiota, autoimmunity, and early exposure to viruses and drugs, are proposed to be the causes of autism.…”

“…A recent study investigated the use of camel milk (CM) to alleviate the symptoms and the severity of ASD by measuring plasma levels of inflammatory mediators. 24 CM was found to have important nutrients with therapeutic effects for disorders including diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and lactase deficiency. Some parents even used CM with hopes of treating their ASD children, and CM seemed to significantly alleviate food allergies.…”

“…CM has unique properties including high vitamin C, low fat content, and low molecular weight IGs, which make it an ideal intervention for patients with ASD. 24 The hypothesis tested in this study was that the TARC acts on the chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) to enhance the recruitment and activation of TH-2 cells. Subsequently, there is production of type 2 cytokines that induce ILs.…”

Ernährungstherapie bei Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter: wie ist die Evidenz?

“…Ein Indikator dieser individuellen metabolischen Konstitution könnten die variablen Urin-Peptidmuster sein, die möglicherweise einen Ansatz für die diättherapeutische Prädikation liefern könnten [32,41,51]. Wichtige Erkenntnisse zum Zusammenhang zwischen bestimmten psychometrischen und verhaltensbasierten Variablen und körper) [50], Lactoferrin [17] und Vitamin C, das sich positiv auf den oxidativen Stress im Rahmen der Neuroinflammation auswirken könnte [8].…”