Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

, Volume 43, Issue 11, pp 2677–2685 | Cite as

Autism and Phthalate Metabolite Glucuronidation

  • T. Peter Stein
  • Margaret D. Schluter
  • Robert A. Steer
  • Xue Ming
Original Paper
First Online:

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.

Keywords

Diethylhexyl phthalate Phthalates Autism Glucuronidation 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • T. Peter Stein
    • 1
  • Margaret D. Schluter
    • 1
  • Robert A. Steer
    • 2
  • Xue Ming
    • 3
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of Surgery, School of Osteopathic MedicineUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyStratfordUSA
  2. 2.Department of Psychiatry, School of Osteopathic MedicineUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyStratfordUSA
  3. 3.Department of Neurology, New Jersey Medical SchoolUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyNewarkUSA
  4. 4.Department of NeurologyThe New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, JFK Medical CenterEdisonUSA

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