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Autism and Phthalate Metabolite Glucuronidation

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Abstract

Exposure to environmental chemicals may precipitate autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in genetically susceptible children. Differences in the efficiency of the glucuronidation process may substantially modulate substrate concentrations and effects. To determine whether the efficiency of this pathway is compromised in children with ASD, we measured the efficiency of glucuronidation for a series of metabolites derived from the commonly used plasticizer, diethylhexyl phthalate. Spot urines were collected and analyzed for the fraction of each metabolite conjugated by isotope dilution-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry. The degree of glucuronidation was lower with the ASD group. The glucuronidation pathway may differ in some children with ASD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 2 Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ, 08084, USA

    T. Peter Stein & Margaret D. Schluter

  2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 2 Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ, 08084, USA

    Robert A. Steer

  3. Department of Neurology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA

    Xue Ming

  4. Department of Neurology, The New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ, 08817, USA

    Xue Ming

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  1. T. Peter Stein
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  4. Xue Ming
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Correspondence to T. Peter Stein.

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Stein, T.P., Schluter, M.D., Steer, R.A. et al. Autism and Phthalate Metabolite Glucuronidation. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 2677–2685 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1822-y

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