Fecal Calprotectin Levels Correlate With Main Domains of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) in a Sample of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders From Slovakia

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behavior and restricted interests. There is convincing evidence that the intestinal inflammation is involved in etiology of ASD. Increased levels of inflammatory markers were shown to be associated with more aberrant behaviors and communication of subjects with ASD. Calprotectin in the feces is produced by activated neutrophils and epithelial cells of the gut mucosa, and its levels reflect local inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Concentration of fecal calprotectin was determined by ELISA method in 87 individuals with ASD and 51 controls, of that 29 siblings of children with ASD and 22 non-related controls. In non-relatives significantly lower values of fecal calprotectin were observed than in both subjects with ASD and their siblings. In the group with ASD significant correlations of fecal calprotectin with all domains of the ADI-R diagnostic tool were found: qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interaction and communication, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Results suggest that low grade intestinal inflammation may be one of factors implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD.

The use of biomarkers associated with leaky gut as a diagnostic tool for early intervention in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

“…These discrepancies can be attributed to the differences in the studied populations, the sensitivity of the measured technique, and the scores used to measure autistic severity. This suggestion was supported by the findings of a recent study by Babinská et al [ 52 ], who found significant correlations between FC and all areas of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) diagnostic tool measured as impaired social interaction and communication, restrictive and repetitive behavior. This suggests that low-grade intestinal inflammation might be one of the major factors that involved in the etiology of ASD.…”

Plasma Levels of Glial Cell Marker S100B in Children With Autism

“…In this research, we used an objective marker of GI inflammation status -fecal calprotectin. In our previous study, we have demonstrated higher fecal calprotectin levels indicating the low-grade inflammation in guts of children with autism (Babinska et al 2017). Our present results show low, but significant correlation of stool calprotectin levels with plasma S100B concentrations, suggesting the involvement of EGCs in S100B increased release in ASD individuals.…”

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gastrointestinal, Sensory and Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Then, several studies showed a significant dysbiosis and a change in the stability, diversity, composition and/or metabolism of the gut microbiota in ASD children compared to TD peers ( 13 , 14 ), while others reported disrupted intestinal permeability in ASD subjects ( 15 , 16 ), and evidence of a systemic and intestinal inflammation in ASD [i.e. alterations in circulating cytokine levels ( 17 ) and in fecal calprotectin levels ( 18 , 19 )]. Studies from ASD-like animal models demonstrated not only that the microbiota are essential for social development ( 20 ), but also that restoring the normal components of gut microbiota with probiotics may correct the intestinal permeability defects, altered microbial composition, and ASD-related abnormalities though the reduction of gut production and absorption of toxins ( 21 – 23 ).…”