The role of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL), an oxidized LDL, in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unclear. We studied association between MDA-LDL and behavioral symptoms in 11 individuals with ASD and 7 age -matched normal controls. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklists (ABC). Because small sample size in this study, three measures were conducted: first, employment of adaptive Lasso for enhancing the accuracy of prediction and interpretability; second, calculation of coefficient of variation for an appropriate selection of plasma variables; and third, selection of good candidates of plasma variables. Plasma levels of MDA-LDL, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA/arachidonic acid ratios were significantly higher, while plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly lower in the ASD group than in the control group. The total ABC scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Multiple linear regression analysis and the adaptive Lasso revealed association of increased plasma DHA levels with the ABC total scores and increased plasma MDA-LDL levels. Such association between DHA and plasma MDA-LDL levels may contribute to behavior in individuals with ASD.

丙二醛修饰的低密度脂蛋白 (MDA-LDL)，一种氧化的 LDL，在自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 的病理生理学中的作用尚不清楚。我们研究了 11 名 ASD 患者和 7 名年龄匹配的正常对照者的 MDA-LDL 与行为症状之间的关联。使用异常行为检查表 (ABC) 评估行为症状。由于本研究样本量小，因此采取了三项措施：第一，采用自适应 Lasso 提高预测的准确性和可解释性；second, calculation of coefficient of variation for an appropriate selection of plasma variables; 第三，选择好的候选血浆变量。血浆中的 MDA-LDL、二十碳五烯酸、二十二碳六烯酸 (DHA) 和 DHA/花生四烯酸比率显着升高，而 ASD 组的血浆超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD) 水平显着低于对照组。ASD组的总ABC评分显着高于对照组。多元线性回归分析和自适应套索显示血浆 DHA 水平升高与 ABC 总分和血浆 MDA-LDL 水平升高有关。DHA 和血浆 MDA-LDL 水平之间的这种关联可能有助于 ASD 个体的行为。