#AI reads Urine# Associations between element mixtures and biomarkers of pathophysiologic pathways related to autism spectrum disorder
Published 24 September, 2025
This study is a case-control study involving 42 children aged 6-12 years (21 with autism spectrum disorder/ASD and 21 age-matched healthy controls). Its aim was to explore the associations between element mixtures and biomarkers of ASD-related pathophysiological pathways. Results showed that children with ASD had significantly higher serum levels of chromium, titanium, lithium, vanadium, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, and arsenic, while their serum levels of cadmium and palladium were significantly lower. Four principal components (PCs) were identified: PC1 (a mixture of 14 elements elevated in ASD) was associated with increased HIPK2 and p53 levels and decreased urinary carnitine; PC2 (a mixture of elements affected by urinary excretion) was associated with increased urinary carnitine; PC4 showed no association with any biomarkers; and no associations were observed between any PCs and oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG and MDA). Additionally, the ASD group exhibited increased excretion of essential elements (such as phosphorus, calcium, and zinc) and accumulation of high-molecular-weight metals (such as lead, tin, and molybdenum). The conclusions indicated that increased exposure to element mixtures (including chromium, calcium, magnesium, arsenic, and antimony) was associated with elevated pro-apoptotic levels of HIPK2 and p53; increased exposure to cobalt, lead, and cadmium was associated with carnitine excretion; and increased urinary excretion of essential elements might affect ASD risk by regulating elemental levels in the blood. No role of oxidative stress was observed in this process.
J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2025 Sep 5:91:127739. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127739.
Youhe Gao
Statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Doubao / AI reading for summarizing the content. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.
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