Abstract

Aim

There are increasing reports about the potential role of kynurenine pathway metabolites in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early childhood is a very crucial period of time for the etiopathogenesis of ASD and previous studies reported an age-dependent alteration in kynurenine metabolism. However, no study specifically examined kynurenine metabolites in very young children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate kynurenine pathway metabolite levels, kynurenine pathway enzyme activities and neuroprotective index (kynurenic acid/3-hydroxykynurenine ratio) in toddlers and preschool children with ASD.

Materials and Methods

A total of 68 children with ASD and 44 healthy controls aged between 18 and 60 months were included in this study. Serum levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry system.

Results

Serum 3-hydroxykynurenine and kynurenic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group, whereas serum 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid concentrations were significantly lower.

Conclusions

These findings showed that the kynurenine pathway may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD in early childhood.

中文翻译：

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自闭症谱系障碍幼儿和学龄前儿童犬尿氨酸途径代谢物水平的改变

摘要

目标

关于犬尿氨酸途径代谢物在自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 中的潜在作用的报道越来越多。儿童早期是 ASD 发病机制的一个非常关键的时期，以前的研究报告了犬尿氨酸代谢的年龄依赖性改变。然而，没有研究专门检查患有 ASD 的幼儿的犬尿氨酸代谢物。本研究旨在调查患有 ASD 的幼儿和学龄前儿童的犬尿氨酸途径代谢物水平、犬尿氨酸途径酶活性和神经保护指数（犬尿酸/3-羟基犬尿氨酸比率）。

材料和方法

本研究共纳入 68 名患有 ASD 的儿童和 44 名年龄在 18 至 60 个月之间的健康对照者。通过液相色谱-质谱/质谱系统测定犬尿氨酸途径代谢物的血清水平。

结果

ASD组血清3-羟基犬尿氨酸和犬尿酸浓度显着高于对照组，而血清3-羟基邻氨基苯甲酸浓度显着降低。

结论

这些发现表明，犬尿氨酸途径可能在儿童早期 ASD 的发病机制中发挥作用。