Comparison of urine glycosaminoglycan excretion between children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developed children
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abstract
AbstractAbnormalities pertaining to glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycolipids) of the neural extracellular matrix have been identified as a susceptibility factor in autism spectrum disorder. We studied the urine excretion of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in children with autism spectrum disorder (n=61), in comparison to age- and sex-matched neurotypical controls (n=61). Urine glycosaminoglycan levels were determined in random urine samples by the dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) dye-binding assay, using a microplate reader. Urine GAG levels are significantly higher (p = 0.026) in the ASD group when covariates such as age, weight, urinary creatinine, and height are taken into consideration by ANCOVA. In neurotypical subjects, the urine glycosaminoglycan levels appear to decline with age, height, and weight while this trend was not apparent in subjects with autism spectrum disorder. Glycosaminoglycan excretion did not correlate with the presence of co-occurring symptoms of autism spectrum disorder; frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, self-injurious behaviors, food aversions, or parent-reported sleep problems. Children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit higher urine glycosaminoglycan excretion. Further research is needed to identify its correlation with severity and genetic factors and other metabotypes.
