Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear; however, the toxic environmental exposure to oxidative stress has been suggested to play an important role in its pathogenesis. A loss of balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity produces an excess of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as nitric oxide (NO). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, are closely related to NO and NO synthase.

Competitive Interaction Between Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Arachidonic Acid is Related to Down-Regulation of A Signaling Mediator.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be attributed to altered composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids. We examined the relationships between the plasma ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/AA, and biomarkers of AA-related signaling mediators, i.e.

Increased ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid/arachidonic acid ratios and upregulation of signaling mediator in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Aims: The investigation of links between the ratio of omega-3/omega-6 PUFAs and neuronal signaling is a research priority in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Main Methods: We examine the relationships between the plasma ratios of docosahexaenoid acid (DHA)/arachidonic acid (AA) and eicopentaenoic acid (EPA)/AA and biomarkers of AA-related signaling mediators such as ceruloplasmin, transferrin and superoxide dismutase, in the behavioral symptoms of 28 individuals with ASD (mean age 13.5±4.

Down-regulation of a signaling mediator in association with lowered plasma arachidonic acid levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Previous studies have indicated that the altered composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might contribute to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined the relationship between the plasma fatty acid levels, expressed as μg/ml, and the plasma levels of biomarkers of AA-related signaling mediators, such as ceruloplasmin, transferrin and superoxide dismutase, and assessed the behavioral symptoms of 30 individuals with ASD (mean age, 13.6 ± 4.

Eicosanoids Derived From Arachidonic Acid and Their Family Prostaglandins and Cyclooxygenase in Psychiatric Disorders.

Arachidonic acid (AA)-derived lipid mediators are called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids have emerged as key regulators of a wide variety of physiological responses and pathological processes, and control important cellular processes. AA can be converted into biologically active compounds by metabolism by cyclooxygenases (COX).

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Its Relationship with mTOR Signaling and Oxidative Damage in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Mitochondria are organelles that play a central role in processes related to cellular viability, such as energy production, cell growth, cell death via apoptosis, and metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We can observe behavioral abnormalities relevant to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their recovery mediated by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin in mouse models. In Tsc2(+/-) mice, the transcription of multiple genes involved in mTOR signaling is enhanced, suggesting a crucial role of dysregulated mTOR signaling in the ASD model.

[Useful pharmacologic treatment in impaired social interaction in autism spectrum disorders].

It is important to note that risperidone solution, intranasal administration of oxytocin, and dietary supplementation with large doses of arachidonic acid added to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been reported to improve impaired social interaction. In addition, atypical antipsychotics aripiprazole and SSRI fluvoxamine were useful in treating some aspects of social relatedness or the core deficits of communication and socialization. The evaluation of treatments for ASD should be directed at neurobiological targets known to be important in the brain's response to abnormal developmental trajectories or toward enhancing plasticity during the highly sensitive period in gene-environment interaction (epigenetic mechanism).

[Therapeutic effects of larger doses of arachidonic acid added to DHA on social impairment and its relation to alterations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in individuals with autism spectrum disorders].

The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may play key roles in brain network maturation. ARA plays an important role in signal transduction related to neuronal maturation. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing with larger doses of ARA added to DHA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week trial.