Enfants chinois autistes: un profil d'éléments chimiques multiples dans les érythrocytes

Aperçu: G.M.

Plusieurs sources de données suggèrent que des niveaux anormaux de certains éléments chimiques peuvent contribuer au développement des "troubles du spectre de l'autisme" (TSA). Le présent travail visait à étudier le profil des multiples éléments chimiques dans les érythrocytes des enfants autistes comparé aux enfants au développement typique (TDC) en Chine. Des analyses ont été effectuées pour explorer l'association possible entre les niveaux d'éléments et le risque ainsi que la gravité des TSA. Les niveaux d'érythrocytes de 11 éléments (32%) parmi les 34 éléments détectés dans le groupe autiste étaient significativement différents de ceux dans le groupe TDC. À notre connaissance, il s'agit de la première étude qui a comparé les niveaux d'éléments des métaux rares dans les érythrocytes entre les enfants avec ou sans TSA. Cinq éléments incluant Pb, Na, Ca, Sb et La sont associés au score total de l'échelle d'évaluation de l'autisme des enfants (CARS). En outre, une série de tendances ont été trouvées dans cette recherche qui était censée affecter la réponse auditive, le goût, l'odorat et le toucher, ainsi que la peur ou la nervosité.  

On peut en conclure que les enfants autistes chinois souffrent de déséquilibres d'éléments multi-chimiques qui impliquent une combinaison complexe de facteurs génétiques et environnementaux. Les résultats ont montré une corrélation significative entre les niveaux anormaux de plusieurs éléments chimiques et la gravité du syndrome autistique.

Autism Res. 2018 Mar 30. doi: 10.1002/aur.1949

Chinese children with autism: A multiple chemical elements profile in erythrocytes

Wu J^1,2,3,4, Liu DJ⁵, Shou XJ^1,2,3,4, Zhang JS⁶, Meng FC^1,2,3,4, Liu YQ⁵, Han SP^1,2,3,4, Zhang R^1,2,3,4, Jia JZ^5,7, Wang JY⁵, Han JS^1,2,3,4.

Author information

1

Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

2

Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

3

Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

4

Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

5

School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

6

Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.

7

Center of Statistical Science, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggested that abnormal levels of certain chemical elements may contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The present work aimed to investigate the multiple chemical elements profile in the erythrocytes of autistic versus typically developing children (TDC) of China. Analyses were carried out to explore the possible association between levels of elements and the risk as well as the severity of ASD. Erythrocyte levels of 11 elements (32%) among 34 detected elements in autistic group were significantly different from those in the TDC group. To our knowledge, this is the first study which compared the levels of rare earth elements in erythrocytes between children with or without ASD. Five elements including Pb, Na, Ca, Sb, and La are associated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) total score. Also, a series of tendencies were found in this research which was believed to affect auditory response, taste, smell, and touch, as well as fear or nervousness. It can be concluded that Chinese autistic children suffer from multi-chemical element imbalances which involves a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. The results showed a significant correlation between abnormal levels of several chemical elements and the severity of the autistic syndrome.

LAY SUMMARY:

It is suggested that abnormal levels of some chemical elements may contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this work, the impact of element imbalances on the risk and severity of ASD was investigated, focusing on the analysis of abnormal levels of the multi-chemical elements profile in erythrocytes compared with typically developing children. Furthermore, the results showed a significant correlation between abnormal levels of several chemical elements and the severity of the autistic syndrome. Autism Res 2018. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

© 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID:29603680

DOI:10.1002/aur.1949