| Title: | Trace element dysregulation and detoxification dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder : a urinary biomarker study with element ratio analysis |
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| Authors: | ID Osredkar, Joško (Author)
ID Godnov, Uroš (Author)
ID Jekovec-Vrhovšek, Maja (Author)
ID Osredkar, Damjan (Author)
ID Avguštin, Gorazd (Author)
ID France Štiglic, Alenka (Author)
ID Fabjan, Teja (Author)
ID Kumer, Kristina (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (1,12 MB)
MD5: 6C11748690A1C6585EE709ABB3873094
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/16/11/5332
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  UKC LJ - Ljubljana University Medical Centre
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| Abstract: | Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) arises from complex gene–environment interactions. While trace element abnormalities have been studied, associations with autism severity remain inconsistent. Ratios indicating detoxification balance, rather than single toxic elements, may better reflect severity. Objective: To examine the relationships between urinary trace element levels, detoxification-related element ratios, and autism severity measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Methods: In a crosssectional study of 168 participants (103 ASD, 65 controls), thirty urinary trace elements were quantified by ICP-MS. ASD patients were stratified by CARS into subthreshold ASD (n = 29), mild–moderate ASD (n = 36), and severe ASD (n = 38). Analyses included Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests, focusing on Li/Pb, Cu/Pb, and Cr/Pb ratios. Results: Individual elements showed weak associations with CARS; lead correlated positively (ρ = 0.209, p = 0.035) and lithium inversely (ρ = −0.194, p = 0.051). In contrast, element ratios showed stronger links: Li/Pb (ρ = −0.349, p = 0.0003), Cu/Pb (ρ = −0.320, p = 0.0011), and Cr/Pb (ρ = −0.209, p = 0.035). Severe ASD exhibited modest 90th-percentile elevations for toxic elements but high heterogeneity. Conclusions: Single-element levels showed limited associations with ASD severity. Element ratios, particularly Li/Pb, showed stronger statistical associations than individual elements in this cross-sectional dataset; however, these findings should be interpreted as candidate correlates rather than causal or clinically validated biomarkers. |
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| Keywords: | autism spectrum disorder, trace elements, lead, llithium, detoxification, biomarkers, CARS, element ratios, environmental toxins, metallothionein |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 23 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16, iss. 11, [article no.] 5332 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-29615  |
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| UDC: | 615.874.24:616.896 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2076-3417 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/app16115332 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 279467011 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 27. 5. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 01.06.2026 |
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| Views: | 83 |
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| Downloads: | 59 |
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