Effect of oxidative stress and Glutathione on telomere length in a population of Egyptian autistic children

Oxidative stress is a common feature in nearly all neurodegenerative disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objective: to investigate Telomere Length and Glutathione Level as Potential Biomarkers for Autism. Methods: 80 autistics were selected based on full clinical and neurological examination, severity of autism was evaluated using Fifth Edition (DSM-IV), childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised (ADI™-R). 80 typicallydeveloping (TD) controls sampled from one common kindergarten. Relative telomere length analysis (RTL) was measured by the quantitative real-time PCR. Total glutathione level was detected in blood erythrocytes of patient and control samples simultaneously by following the manufacturer protocol using OxiSelect™ Total Glutathione (GSSG/GSH) Assay Kit (STA-312) (Cell Bio labs, USA). Expectedly we found the majority of autism affected children were males, and consanguinity rate between the ASD families was ~ 27% while it was completely absent in the control subjects. Results: We reported a highly significant correlation between ASD and low levels of total glutathione (P<0.001) compared to controls. We reported a remarkable highly significant correlation between ASD children and shorter relative telomere length. We identified a correlation between telomere length and behavioral characteristics in autistic children represented by social interaction impairment (ADI-R 1st domain). Conclusion; We reported that behavioral abnormalities associated with autism are dependent on telomere length. It was highly mandated to analyze the extent of oxidative stress in autistic children who lives in developing country like Egypt, where the high rate of consanguinity and daily life burden may inducing additional stress.
Keywords: Autism, Oxidative Stress, Telomere- Glutathione