Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Pedersen OS, Liu Y, Reichelt KL.: Serotonin uptake stimulating peptide found in
plasma of normal individuals and in some autistic urines. J Pept Res 1999
Jun;53(6):641-6
Abstract: Research Institute, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, Norway.
We have isolated a tripeptide from normal plasma and autistic urines which stimulates
the uptake of serotonin (5-HT) into platelets. This peptide was purified by highperformance
liquid chromatography (HPLC) and characterized by sequenation and
mass-spectrometry. Synthetic peptide showed co-chromatography with the biological
sample in the HPLC systems used. Close to 60% of the autistic children diagnosed using
the Diagnostic Statistical Manual III-R had an increased HPLC peak eluting like this
peptide in their urines compared with controls.
Ek J, Stensrud M, Reichelt KL.: Gluten-free diet decreases urinary peptide levels in
children with celiac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1999 Sep;29(3):282-5.
Abstract: Department of Pediatrics, Buskerud Central Hospital, Drammen, Norway.
BACKGROUND: Increased urine secretion of peptides has been found in celiac disease,
probably resulting from increased intestinal uptake of peptides caused by damage to
the small gut mucosa. METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography of lowmolecular-weight
peptides in the urine was performed over 6 months, before and after
a gluten-free diet was instituted in children who clinically improved while consuming the
diet. RESULTS: A significant decrease of peptide levels was observed in children
consuming the gluten-free diet. Certain peptide peaks thought to be gluten related
decreased the most after the patients began the diet. CONCLUSIONS: Because the
peptides decrease in patients consuming a gluten-free diet, it is reasonable to conclude
that such peptides have a mostly dietary origin.
Cade JR et al: Autism and schizophrenia linked to malfunctioning enzyme for milk
protein digestion. Autism, Mar 1999.
• Sun Z, Cade JR, Fregly MJ, Privette RM.
Caesomorphine induces Fos-like reactivity in
discrete brain regions relevant to schizophrenia and
autism. Autism 1999;3:67-84
• Sun Z, Cade JR. A peptide found in schizophrenia and
autism causes behavioral changes in rats. Autism
1999;3:85
Cade JR, Privette RM, Fregly M, Rowland N, Sun Z, Zele V, Wagemaker H
Edelstein C: Autism and schizophrenia: Intestinal disorders. Nutritional Neuroscience
1999, 2, 57-72.
Autism Studies & Related Medical Conditions – TACA © Page 156