Mozhgan Afrazeh1, Sakineh Saedisar1, Mohammad Reza Khakzad2, Maryam Hojati3. 1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran. 2. Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 3. Noor Hedayat, Center of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autism is a pervasive disorder and its prevalence increased in recent surveys. An estimated 1 out of every 88 children is affected by autism. Autism disorder symptoms appear before the age of three. It is believed that serum levels of superoxide dismutase may play a role in etiology of autism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October and November 2014, 27 Iranian children from Mashhad city were selected in this study. Given these assumptions, the amount of SOD serum in autistic patients and healthy individuals and correlation between the amount of SOD and autism severity were examined. Blood samples of 30 autistic children and 18 age-matched healthy children were collected between 9 to 11 am. Serum level of SOD in both groups was measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: The mean SOD level in the treatment group (1.04 ±1.33 ng/ml) was significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.001). However, SOD level was not significantly associated with the autism severity (p = 0.667). Conclusions: Decreased serum levels of superoxide dismutase in the early diagnosis of autistic children can be considered as a diagnostic biomarker.
BACKGROUND:Autism is a pervasive disorder and its prevalence increased in recent surveys. An estimated 1 out of every 88 children is affected by autism. Autism disorder symptoms appear before the age of three. It is believed that serum levels of superoxide dismutase may play a role in etiology of autism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October and November 2014, 27 Iranian children from Mashhad city were selected in this study. Given these assumptions, the amount of SOD serum in autisticpatients and healthy individuals and correlation between the amount of SOD and autism severity were examined. Blood samples of 30 autisticchildren and 18 age-matched healthy children were collected between 9 to 11 am. Serum level of SOD in both groups was measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: The mean SOD level in the treatment group (1.04 ±1.33 ng/ml) was significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.001). However, SOD level was not significantly associated with the autism severity (p = 0.667). Conclusions: Decreased serum levels of superoxide dismutase in the early diagnosis of autisticchildren can be considered as a diagnostic biomarker.