Abstract
Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that severely affects neurodevelopment, and its underlying causes are not yet entirely understood. Research suggests that there may be a connection between the occurrence of ASD and changes in immune responses. This study aims to know if some biochemical and inflammatory cytokines are promising biomarkers for ASD and whether they are involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.
Methods
The serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-10, 1L-8, and IL-6 were measured in all of the patients (n=22) and in the healthy (n=12) children using ELISA method.
Results
The serum concentrations of IL-10, IL-8, and IL-6 were significantly lower in the ASD patients compared to the control group (p<0.05) and there were not significant differences between CRP, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-1β levels in two groups. There were positive correlations between CRP and IL-10 (r=0.554, CI:0.1475 to 0.8005, p=0.009), CRP and IL-8 (r=0.452, CI:0.0249 to 0.7400, p=0.0346), also IL-8 and IL-10 (r=0.507, CI:0.08350 to 0.7759, p=0.018) in ASD group. In contrast to the ASD patients, the correlation of IL-8 and IL-10 (r=0.231, CI: -0.4113 to 0.7202, p=0.466), CRP and IL-10 (r=-0.137, CI: -0.6696 to 0.4893, p=0.670), also CRP and IL-8 (r=0.007, CI: -0.5821 to 0.5913, p=0.991) were not significant in the control group.
Conclusion
The significantly decreased concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in ASD patients, moreover the correlations among CRP, IL-8, and IL-10, may have a role in the pathogenesis of ASD and be considered as promising biomarkers for accurate diagnosis, prognostic prediction and effective treatment.