Decreased plasma levels of lipoxin A4 in children with autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), a mediator involved in the resolution of inflammation in Chinese children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). From January 2013 to June 2014, a total of 150 children (75 confirmed ASD cases and 75 their age-matched and sex-matched control cases) participated in this study after consent was obtained from their parents. Clinical information was collected. Plasma levels of LXA4 were measured at baseline. The severity of ASD was assessed at admission using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale total score. The results indicated that the mean plasma levels of LXA4 were significantly lower in autistic children compared with the normal children (P<0.0001). There was a significant negative relationship between circulating LXA4 levels and severity of autism evaluated by Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores (P=0.006) after adjustment for the possible covariates. On the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff value of plasma LXA4 levels as an indicator for an auxiliary diagnosis of ASD was projected to be 81.5 pg/ml, which yielded a sensitivity of 90.7% and a specificity of 76.0%, with the area under the curve at 0.911 (95% confidence interval, 0.867-0.955). These results suggested that autistic children had lower plasma LXA4 levels, suggesting an increased susceptibility to recurring inflammation in these samples.