Abstract
Introduction:
The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is thought to be complex. Increasing evidence in the literature shows that oxidative stress plays a role in the development and prognosis of autism. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether thiol disulfide balance, which is a new marker of oxidative stress, is different from that in normal children with autism spectrum disorder.
Methods
A total of 68 children, 38 with autism spectrum disorder and 30 healthy controls, were included in the study. Dynamic thiol balance, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, ischemia-modified albumin, paraoxonase 1, and arylesterase activities were measured using colorimetric methods. Routine biochemical parameters were obtained from their files and evaluated.
Results
In the case group with autism spectrum disorder, compared with the control group, lower levels of vitamin D, paraoxonase 1, total thiol, and native thiol (p < 0.05) and higher levels of ischemia- modified albumin, total oxidant state, and high oxidative stress index (p < 0.05) were significantly determined.
Conclusions
There is a significant difference between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and oxidative stress increase, antioxidant capacity decrease, and dynamic thiol balance. If these data are supported by new studies with wider participation and multi-center, it can be expected that the dynamic thiol balance and other related parameters will come to the fore as laboratory markers in the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment follow-up of autism.