Fatores imunobiológicos e perfil de desenvolvimento no autismo infantil

Abstract

Autism in children is a developmental disorder defined by deficits in social interaction, impaired communication and limitations in the standard behavior. There are also immunological changes, in metabolism of membrane phospholipids and in oxidative stress. This study evaluated the levels of the immune activators markers from membrane phospholipids and nitric oxide in 24 autistic children, matched for age and sex with healthy children. This study also investigated the variation of these levels in children with autism with different development profiles. After psychiatric evaluation, blood samples were collected and subjected to analysis of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α by flow cytometry, to analysis of phospholipase A2 by fluorimetric analysis, to analysis of phospholipids by gas chromatograph and to determination of nitric oxide by the Griess method. The scale of the development of psychoeducational profile revised (PEP-R) was applied. Data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni test) using SPSS version13. Plasma levels of IFN-γ and nitric oxide were significantly higher among children with autism compared with the control group. The activity of phospholipase A2 and plasma levels of arachidonic acid were elevated, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were reduced among children with autism. The scores obtained in the PEP-R differed significantly between the two groups, but no correlation with the results of laboratory measurements was found. The joint analysis of data suggests an association of oxidative stress with immune dysregulation and alteration of lipid metabolism in infantile autism.