linoleic-acid and Autistic-Disorder

Maternal food habits and gut microbiota composition have potential effects on fetal neurodevelopment, impacting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our research aims to outline the relationship that ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the composition of maternal gut microbiota have with the possible development of ASD in offspring. We suggest that genetic factors could be related to the different conversions between unsaturated fatty acids according to sex and, mainly, the impact of the pregnancy diet on the higher or lower risk of neurological impairments. The proportion of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes is high with an increased consumption of linoleic acid (LA, n-6 PUFA), which is associated with maternal intestinal dysbiosis and consequently starts the inflammatory process, harming myelinization. In contrast, the consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3 PUFA) tends to re-establish the balance of the maternal microbiota with anti-inflammatory action. Moreover, human observational studies showed a strong correlation between the consumption of n-3 PUFA, mainly above 340 g of fish per week, with beneficial effects on infant neurodevelopment. Therefore, we suggest that the proper intake of foods rich in n-3 PUFAs and their supplementation during pregnancy until lactation has an impact on reducing the development of ASD. Controlled studies with n-3 PUFA supplementation are still necessary to verify the ideal dose and the best form of administration.

Topics: Animals; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Linoleic Acid; Pregnancy

Fatty acids are critical for pediatric neurodevelopment and are abnormal in autism, although prior studies have demonstrated conflicting results and methodological differences. To our knowledge, there are no published data on fatty acid in Canadian children with autism. The aim of this study was to investigate red blood cell and serum fatty acid status to identify whether abnormalities exist in Canadian children with autism, and to enhance future cross-study comparison.. Eleven Canadian children with autism (3 girls, 8 boys; age 3.05 ± 0.79 y) and 15 controls (9 girls, 6 boys; age 3.87 ± 1.06 y) met inclusion criteria, which included prior Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, no recent medication or supplements, no specialty diets, and no recent illness.. The children with autism demonstrated lower red blood cell docosahexaenoic acid (P < 0.0003), eicosapentaenoic acid (P < 0.03), arachidonic acid (P < 0.002), and ω-3/ω-6 ratios (P < 0.001). They also demonstrated lower serum docosahexaenoic acid (P < 0.02), arachidonic acid (P < 0.05), and linoleic acid (P < 0.02) levels.. Fatty acids in both serum and red blood cells were abnormal in this small group of Canadian children with autism than in controls, underlining a need for larger age- and sex-matched investigations in this community. A potential role for fatty acid abnormalities within the complex epigenetic etiology of autism is proposed in relation to emerging understanding of relationships between cobalamin metabolism, gut microbiota, and propionic acid production.

Topics: Arachidonic Acid; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Canada; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Female; Humans; Linoleic Acid; Male; Propionates; Vitamin B 12

Estimation of free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in blood and evaluation of behavior of autistic children before and after taking fish oil (Efalex) were performed.. 30 autistic children (18 males and 12 females) aged 3-11 years and 30 healthy children as control group were included in this study. Tandem mass spectrometry and CARS were used to estimate the free PUFAs from dried blood spot and to evaluate the autistic behavior respectively.. Before taking Efalex, linolenic acid showed a significant reduction (71%), followed by docosahexaenoic acid (65%) and arachidonic acid (45%), while linoleic acid was the least affected PUFA (32%). After taking Efalex, 66% of autistic children showed clinical and biochemical improvement, linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid showed the highest levels after Efalex supplementation.. PUFA supplementation may play an important role in ameliorating the autistic behavior.

Topics: alpha-Linolenic Acid; Arachidonic Acid; Autistic Disorder; Child; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Fish Oils; Humans; Linoleic Acid; Male; Plant Oils; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Phospholipid fatty acids are major structural components of neuronal cell membranes, which modulate membrane fluidity and hence function. Evidence from clinical and biochemical sources have indicated changes in the metabolism of fatty acids in several psychiatric disorders. We examined the phospholipid fatty acids in the plasma of a population of autistic subjects compared to mentally retarded controls. Our results showed a marked reduction in the levels of 22: 6n-3 (23%) in the autistic subjects, resulting in significantly lower levels of total (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (20%), without significant reduction in the (n-6) PUFA series, and consequently a significant increase in the (n-6)/(n-3) ratio (25%). These variations are discussed in terms of potential differences in PUFA dietary intake, metabolism, or incorporation into cellular membranes between the two groups of subjects. These results open up interesting perspectives for the investigation of new biological indices in autism. Moreover, this might have new therapeutic implications in terms of child nutrition.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Arachidonic Acid; Autistic Disorder; Body Height; Body Weight; Child; Child, Preschool; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Linoleic Acid; Male; Phospholipids