Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2022.279

EVALUATION OF BLOOD ZONULIN LEVELS, INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES AND NEURONAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Gülşen Kartalcı ; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
Arzu Çalışkan Demir ; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
Şükrü Kartalcı ; Department of Psychiatry, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
Nuray Üremiş ; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
Yusuf Türköz ; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as limited, and
repetitive behavior patterns and disordered social interaction and communication. The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is
not clearly known, it has been emphasized that the immune-inflammatory system may also play a role in this disease. This study aimed to
evaluate in intestinal permeability, food antigen-antibody levels, inflammatory processes, and neuron damage in patients with ASD.
Subjects and methods: Thirty-five chıldren between the ages of 3-12 with ASD and 35 controls were included in the study. Both
participants' height and weight were measured, and the parents filled the Socio-demographic Data and the Gastrointestinal Systems
(GIS) Symptoms Form. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum zonulin, anti-gliadin Ig A and Ig G, IL6, TNF-alpha, TGFß,
S100B, and NSE levels were measured by ELISA.
Results: Serum zonulin levels in the ASD group were found to be significantly lower. IL-6 and TGF-ß were found to be
significantly higher in the ASD group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of serum anti-gliadin Ig A and Ig G
and TNF-alpha values. Also, GIS symptoms, NSE and S100B levels were found similar between two groups.
Conclusions: Although findings showing low zonulin levels and increased inflammatory processes in ASD were found in this
study, no difference was found in the parameters of brain damage. The findings show that intestinal permeability does not decrease
in ASD and that inflammatory processes may play a role in ASD.

Keywords

autism; zonulin; inflammation; neuronal damage; leaky gut

Hrčak ID:

280032

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280032

Publication date:

5.7.2022.

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