Evaluation of insulin degrading enzyme in autism, its relationship with vitamin D and some biochemical parameters

The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) and vitamin D concentration, glucose concentration, lipid concentration (Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL), some antioxidants parameters's concentration (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in Iraqi autism patients. 60 autistic patients aged 1-20 years diagnosed in Tikrit Training Hospital/Autism Center and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. In order to find biochemical markers that can be used for early detection and treatment of autism, IDE activity and blood biomarkers were measured in autism patients and control group in this study. Significant decreases in IDE activity were observed in the autistic patient group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Vitamin D, glucose, HDL, GSH concentrations and CAT, SOD activities decreased significantly in the autistic patient group compared to the control group (p<0.001), while MDA, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL concentrations increased significantly (p<0.001). Strong correlation showed between IDE and Vitamin D (r=0.984), glucose (r=0.970), CAT(r=0.927), SOD (r=0.927), GSH (r=0.927), MDA (r=- 0.841), cholesterol (r=- 0.842), triglyceride (r=- 0.842), HDL (r=0.915), LDL (r=- 0.940), and VLDL (r=- 0.842). As a result, in this study IDE and other biochemical parameters were found to have a statistically significant correlation in the autistic patient group, and it is recommended that physicians screen and treat vitamin D, lipid and antioxidant levels more frequently in autism patients in the prevention and treatment of autism.