Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

analyzed by a registered pediatric dietician to compare to RDA standards for total
calories, protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Dietary intake was correlated with
descriptors of stool consistency using cumulative logistic regression methods.
RESULTS: Intake of calories, carbohydrates, and fat were in the average range;
protein intake was increased (211% of RDA). Reported frequency of GI
abnormalities, including abnormal stool consistency (e.g., bulky or loose), was
increased (54%). No statistically significant relationships between stool
consistency and dietary intake were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample,
there was a high rate of reported gastrointestinal symptoms, despite lack of
medical causes. Intake was adequate for calories and carbohydrates and
increased for protein. The children did not exhibit excessive carbohydrate intake.
There was no association of nutrient intake to changes in stool consistency.
Liu, Z., N. Li, et al. (2005). "Tight junctions, leaky intestines, and pediatric diseases."
Acta Paediatr 94(4): 386-93.
BACKGROUND: Tight junctions (TJs) represent the major barrier within the
paracellular pathway between intestinal epithelial cells. Disruption of TJs leads to
intestinal hyperpermeability (the so-called "leaky gut") and is implicated in the
pathogenesis of several acute and chronic pediatric disease entities that are likely
to have their origin during infancy. AIM: This review provides an overview of
evidence for the role of TJ breakdown in diseases such as systemic inflammatory
response syndrome (SIRS), inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes,
allergies, asthma, and autism. CONCLUSION: A better basic understanding of
this structure might lead to prevention or treatment of these diseases using
nutritional or other means.
Macdonald, T. T. and P. Domizio (2007). "Autistic enterocolitis: is it a histopathological
entity?" Histopathology 51(4): 552-3.
MacFabe, D. F., D. P. Cain, et al. (2007). "Neurobiological effects of intraventricular
propionic acid in rats: possible role of short chain fatty acids on the pathogenesis and
characteristics of autism spectrum disorders." Behav Brain Res 176(1): 149-69.
Clinical observations suggest that certain gut and dietary factors may transiently
worsen symptoms in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy and some
inheritable metabolic disorders. Propionic acid (PPA) is a short chain fatty acid
and an important intermediate of cellular metabolism. PPA is also a by-product of
a subpopulation of human gut enterobacteria and is a common food
preservative. We examined the behavioural, electrophysiological,
neuropathological, and biochemical effects of treatment with PPA and related
compounds in adult rats. Intraventricular infusions of PPA produced reversible
repetitive dystonic behaviours, hyperactivity, turning behaviour, retropulsion,
caudate spiking, and the progressive development of limbic kindled seizures,
suggesting that this compound has central effects. Biochemical analyses of brain
homogenates from PPA treated rats showed an increase in oxidative stress
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