Increased Serum Zonulin Levels as an Intestinal Permeability Marker in Autistic Subjects

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 188; pp. 240 - 244
• Main Authors: Esnafoglu, Erman, Cırrık, Selma, Ayyıldız, Sema Nur, Erdil, Abdullah, Ertürk, Emine Yurdakul, Daglı, Abdullah, Noyan, Tevfik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2017
• Subjects: autism spectrum disorder; Autistic Disorder - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Case-Control Studies; Child; Cholera Toxin - blood; Female; gastrointestinal system; GI-brain interaction; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; intestinal permeability; Male; Pediatrics; Permeability; tight junctions; zonulin; CARS; intestinal permeability; zonulin; ASD; GI; TJ; gastrointestinal system; tight junctions; autism spectrum disorder; GI-brain interaction; BMI; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Gastrointestinal; Body mass index; Tight junction
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.04.004

To evaluate the serum levels of zonulin, which regulates tight junctions between enterocytes and is a physiological modulator controlling intestinal permeability, in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Serum zonulin levels were determined in 32 patients with ASD and 33 healthy controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of ASD symptoms was assessed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher in the patients with ASD (122.3 ± 98.46 ng/mL) compared with the healthy controls (41.89 ± 45.83 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between zonulin levels and Childhood Autism Rating Scale score when all subjects were assessed (r = 0.523; P < .001). This study suggests that zonulin, which regulates intestinal permeability, plays a role in the development of symptoms of ASD.