Serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and apelin levels in children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder


YILDIRIM DEMİRDÖĞEN E., AKINCI M. A., BOZKURT A., ESMERAY Ö., ÖZGERİŞ F. B., KURT N., ...More

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol.112, 2024 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 112
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102327
  • Journal Name: Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo
  • Keywords: Apelin, Autism spectrum disorder, Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α)
  • Erzincan Binali Yildirim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which underlying etiological factors remains unclear. The important environmental factors associated with ASD, include neuroinflammation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. HIF-1α and apelin are biochemical markers that play important roles in neuroinflammation, hypoxia and oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to determine whether serum HIF-1α and apelin levels differ between children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 children and adolescents with ASD and 30 healthy controls. HIF-1α and apelin serum levels were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Autism symptom severity was evaluated using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). HIF-1α and apelin serum levels were compared between groups. Additionally, correlations between HIF-1α and apelin serum levels and sociodemographic-clinical variables (age, BMI, CARS total score, ASD severity, psychiatric medication use, psychiatric comorbidity, NLR, SII) were evaluated in the ASD group. Results: Serum HIF-1α and apelin levels were statistically significantly higher in the ASD group (p = 0.044, p = 0.041 respectively). Serum apelin levels were negatively correlated with age (r = −0.430, p = 0.018). Serum HIF-1α levels were positively correlated with NLR (r = 0.627 p < 0.001) and SII (r = 0.609 p < 0.001). There was positive correlation between serum apelin levels and NLR (r = 0.525 p = 0.003) and SII (r = 559 p = 0.002). Conclusion: These results suggest that, HIF-1α and apelin may play a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. Further studies on the subject are needed to reveal the causality between HIF-1α, apelin and ASD.