PLASMA GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN (GFAP) IN ASTROCYTES CONTRIBUTES TO INCREASES IN THE PREVALENCE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD)

Increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [1] and appearance of nanoparticle production [2] occurred at 2005. Therefore, exposure to nanoparticle may contribute to increase of prevalence of ASD. Astroglia plays an important role in the synaptic circuits, and dysfunction of astrocyte increase serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Exposure of carbon black nanoparticle (CB-NP) may related to increased ASD prevalence

To study examine the effects of exposure of CB-NP on increased ASD prevalence, plasma GFAP levels were measured. We studied the asociation between plasma CB-NP levels, and urinary antioxidant capacity and nutrient intake.

Assessment of plasma GFAP levels and urinary antioxidant capacity in the 23 individuals with ASD (mean age 12.1years) and 15 healthy controls (mean age 17.1 years), using ELISA Enzyme Immunoassay kit and Total Antioxidant Power Kit, respectively. Nutrient intake was assessed using a semi-constructive questionnaire of DHQ15 (Tokyo, Japan)

ASD group significantly increased plasma GFAP levels than control group Plasma GFAP levels were significantly associated with the total scores of Aberrant Behavioral Checklist and Social Responsiveness Scale but no association of urinary antioxidant capacity and nutrient intake.

Astrocytes elucidate the signaling networks [4], exposure to CB-NP increased plasma GFAP levels due to astrogliosis and signaling dysfunction via sphingosine 1-phosphate (SIP) metabolism, NLRP3 inflamasome or Mmp3 expression, and then might contribute to increased prevalence of ASD.

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4. Soto, J.S., Jami-Alahmadi, Y., Chacon, J., Moye, S.L., Diaz-Castro, B., Wohlschlegel, J.A,. Khakh, B.S. (2023). Astrocyte-neuron subproteomes and obsessive-compulsive disorder mechanisms. Nature. 2023 616 (7958). pp. 764-773. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05927-7.