Hyperhomocysteinemia among Omani autistic children: a case-control study.

Abstract

High serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is regarded as an indicator for impairment of folate-dependent methionine cycle and is associated with oxidative stress. In a case control study, we evaluated eighty 3-5 years old Omani children (40 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 40 their age and gender matched controls) for their fasting serum homocysteine levels as a biomarker of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Serum folate and vitamin B(12) status were also evaluated. The serum homocysteine was measured using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique whereas folate and vitamin B(12) were measured using an automated random access immune-assay system. The results indicated that mean serum Hcy levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in autistic children (20.1 ± 3.3 µmol/L) as compared to controls (9.64 ± 2.1 µmol/L). Significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum folate (1.8 ± 0.4 µg/L) and vitamin B(12) (191.1 ± 0.9 pg/mL) levels were observed in autistic children as compared to controls (6.1 ± 0.6 µg/L and 288.9 ± 1.3 pg/mL, respectively). The levels of homocysteine in autistic children were also much higher as compared to normal reference values (5-15 µmol/L). The results suggest that high fasting serum homocysteine and low folate and vitamin B(12) levels could be used as clinical biomarkers for an early diagnosis and management of ASD.

Increased homocysteine levels correlate with the communication deficit in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…None of the clinical features or morphometric measures appeared to modify the strength of this association. Our results add clinical evidence that supports the finding of increased homocysteine concentration in biological fluids in children/adolescents with ASD compared to age-matched TD controls (Paşca et al, 2006;Adams et al, 2011;Ali et al, 2011;Kałuzna-Czaplińska et al, 2011;Tu et al, 2012). We discuss these ideas below.…”

“…Hyperhomocysteinemia causes brain dysfunction by two suggested mechanisms, namely, oxidative damage and abnormal DNA methylation (Ho et al, 2002;Perna et al, 2003). Several reports showed an increased homocysteine concentration in biological fluids in children/adolescents with ASD compared to age-matched TD controls (Paşca et al, 2006;Adams et al, 2011;Ali et al, 2011;Kałuzna-Czaplińska et al, 2011;Tu et al, 2012), however other failed to find such difference (James et al, 2004). Evaluation of the relationship between homocysteine and the clinical features and severity of core symptoms in patients with ASD may help to shed some light on the role of this unusual amino acid in the symptomatology of the disorder and ultimately to identify any possible links between specific neuropsychiatric alterations and the common pathophysiological changes present in this disease (Parellada et al, 2012;Gonzalez-Liencres et al, 2014).…”

Nutritional Impact of a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…In children with ASD who eat a gluten-free (GF) diet, higher homocysteine levels have been observed (Ali et al 2011), which could increase cardiovascular risks in the mid and long term given the implied deficiencies in folate and vitamin B 6 intake (Hallert et al 2002;Thompson 2000). However, we did not observe significant differences in the intake of these vitamins between the groups in our study.…”

Nutritional Status of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Do We Know Enough?

“…Findings on vitamins, minerals, amino acids, FAs, and metabolic markers of children with autism are highlighted in Tables 2-4. Vitamins. Studies report decreased concentrations likely below the reference range of pantothenic acid [whole blood (WB)] (34), biotin (WB) (34), folate (serum) (35,36), vitamin B-12 (serum and plasma) (35)(36)(37), vitamin D (25hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; serum) (38), and vitamin E (serum and plasma) (34,39) in children with autism. Elevated and unusually broad vitamin B-6 (RBC and plasma) concentrations have been reported.…”