Porphyrinuria in childhood autistic disorder: implications for environmental toxicity.

Full Abstract

To address a possible environmental contribution to autism, we carried out a retrospective study on urinary porphyrin levels, a biomarker of environmental toxicity, in 269 children with neurodevelopmental and related disorders referred to a Paris clinic (2002-2004), including 106 with autistic disorder. Urinary porphyrin levels determined by high-performance liquid chromatography were compared between diagnostic groups including internal and external control groups. Coproporphyrin levels were elevated in children with autistic disorder relative to control groups. Elevation was maintained on normalization for age or to a control heme pathway metabolite (uroporphyrin) in the same samples. The elevation was significant (P < 0.001). Porphyrin levels were unchanged in Asperger's disorder, distinguishing it from autistic disorder. The atypical molecule precoproporphyrin, a specific indicator of heavy metal toxicity, was also elevated in autistic disorder (P < 0.001) but not significantly in Asperger's. A subgroup with autistic disorder was treated with oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) with a view to heavy metal removal. Following DMSA there was a significant (P = 0.002) drop in urinary porphyrin excretion. These data implicate environmental toxicity in childhood autistic disorder.

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Author information

Author/s: Nataf, Robert (R); Skorupka, Corinne (C); Amet, Lorene (L); Lam, Alain (A); Springbett, Anthea (A); Lathe, Richard (R);

Affiliation: Laboratoire Philippe Auguste, Paris, France.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Toxicology and applied pharmacology (Toxicol Appl Pharmacol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 214 (issue 2) : pp 99-108

Dates: Created 2006/07/17; Completed 2006/09/11; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16782144, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Administration, Oral
Adolescent
Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; etiology; urine
Biological Markers - urine
Chelating Agents - administration & dosage; therapeutic use
Child
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - diagnosis; etiology; urine
Child, Preschool
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Coproporphyrins - urine
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; analysis

Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; analysis
Female
Humans
Male
Metals, Heavy - antagonists & inhibitors; poisoning; urine
Porphyrias - complications; urine
Porphyrins - urine
Retrospective Studies
Succimer - administration & dosage; therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome
Uroporphyrins - urine

Associated Chemicals: Biological Markers (0) ; Chelating Agents (0) ; Coproporphyrins (0) ; Metals, Heavy (0) ; Porphyrins (0) ; Uroporphyrins (0) ; precoproporphyrin (0) ; pentacarboxylic porphyrin (28100-78-9) ; Succimer (304-55-2)

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