glutaminase and Autistic-Disorder

To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which silence information regulator (SIRT) 2 and glutaminase (GLS) in the amygdala regulate social behaviors in autistic rats.. Rat models of autism were established by maternal sodium valproic acid (VPA) exposure in wild-type rats and. Brain weight, amygdala Glu content and the levels of SIRT2, GLS protein and pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3 in the amygdala were increased in VPA rats, while the level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was decreased (all. The glutamate circulatory system in the amygdala of VPA induced autistic rats is abnormal. This is associated with the upregulation of SIRT2 expression and its induced increase of GLS production; knocking out

Topics: Amygdala; Animals; Autistic Disorder; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Glutamates; Glutaminase; Rats; Sirtuin 2; Social Behavior

The platelet levels of serotonin and the amino acids aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid were measured in 18 drug-free autistic (DSM-III criteria) and 14 age-matched healthy children. Serotonin was significantly increased while the amino acids aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid were significantly decreased in comparison with the controls. It is suggested that the decline of the amino acids in platelets from autistic children represents a biochemical marker related to infantile autism.

Topics: Adolescent; Amino Acids; Aspartic Acid; Autistic Disorder; Biomarkers; Blood Platelets; Child; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Glutaminase; Humans; Male; Serotonin