Impact of Oxidative Stress on Autism Spectrum Disorder Behaviors in Children with Autism

Nagwa A. Meguid; Safinaz N. Azab; Amal S. Saber; Heba A. Mostafa; Mona A. El-Bana; Adel Hashish; Heba S. Hashem

Nagwa A. Meguid Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Safinaz N. Azab Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Amal S. Saber Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Heba A. Mostafa Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Mona A. El-Bana Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Adel Hashish Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Heba S. Hashem Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

Keywords: Autism, Coenzyme Q10, Oxidative stress, Language development disorders.

Abstract

Autism is complexes behaviorally known as neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant deterioration in social interaction, mental abilities and communicative abilities. It is deemed a multi-causes disorder that is affected by genetic, immunological and environmental factors and inclusive oxidative stress. Aim of such study was to estimate level of antioxidant enzyme coenzyme Q10 and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in children with Autism and correlate these results with their language and behavior pattern. The study included 30 Egyptian children with autism and 30 normal children as control group. Their ages ranged between 3 to 6 years. Diagnosis was done using DSM-V and ADI-R. Cases were classified into high and low functioning autism using CARS. We compared plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 and MDA in children with autism and controls. Our results showed significant increased MDA and decreased coenzyme Q10 in autistic children compared to controls. On the other hand, Increased MDA and decreased coenzyme Q10 were not related to severity of autistic features and language abilities among autistic children group. Regarding language abilities of autistic children, there was positive correlation between IQ and total language age and negative correlation between CARS and total language age.