MINDD Forum General Session Metabolic Elizabeth Mumper, MD Director of Medical Education Autism Research Institute May 2009 Vicious Cycles Food sensitivities Gut inflammation Malabsorption oxidative stress Dysfunctional enzymes Abnormal intestinal permeability Abnormal biochemistry damage from Environmental Chronic viral and fungal infections TH1 to TH2 shift Impaired detoxification autoimmunity and allergy Methionine The Queen Essential amino acid: Methyl group Sulfur group Nitrogen SAM Creatine ENERGY Cysteine GLUTATHIONE PROTEIN Build and repair tissues www.mindd.org 1
Folic acid leaf Excellent for repairing DNA injured by oxidative stress Helps you hang on to your electrons Used in growth, regeneration and repair Glutathione VITAL ROLES OF GLUTATHIONE IN AUTISM Major Antioxidant T cell function GLUTATHIONE Detox pathways Mitochondrial membranes Gut epithelial function Vicious Cycles Factors Contributing to Oxidative Stress in Autistic Children Food sensitivities Gut inflammation Malabsorption oxidative stress Dysfunctional enzymes Inflammation Infection Abnormal intestinal permeability Abnormal biochemistry Genes Autism Environment damage from Environmental Chronic viral and fungal infections TH1 to TH2 shift Hormones Impaired detoxification autoimmunity and allergy Timing Gut Inflammation Brain Inflammation Immune dysfunction www.mindd.org 2
Methionine Transsulfuration to Cysteine and Glutathione Methionine THF SAM Potential (SAM/SAH) MTase 5,10-CH 2 THF 1 MS BHMT 2 Cell B12 SAH Betaine MTHFR 5-CH 3 THF SAHH Choline Adenosine Homocysteine 1 2 3 Folate Cycle Methionine Cycle Transsulfuration 3 B6 CBS Cystathionine B6 Cysteine GSH GSSG Antioxidant Potential biochemistry Slides courtesy of Dr. Jill James Cell Death Damage Oxidative Stress Hydroxyl Radical Hydrogen Peroxide Superoxide ONOO- GSSG 4HNE LOO- Antioxidant Defense Superoxide Dismutase GSH Peroxidase GSH Reductase Vitamin E Vitamin C Lipoic Acid GSTs GSH Slide courtesy Dr. Jill James Cellular consequences of reduced methylation capacity Reduced DNA methylation Altered activity and function of proteins Altered neurotransmitter function Serotonin Dopamine Melatonin Reduced membrane phosphotidylcholine synthesis altered membrane fluidity and signaling Cellular consequences of decreased glutathione Decreased detoxification neurotoxicity Degeneration of gut epithelium increased permeability and autoimmunity Abnormal immune function T cell dysfunction Decreased total antioxidant capacity makes everything worse Specific nutritional deficiencies Biotin deficiency. A and B, This child developed dermatitis in perianal, perioral, and lid areas along with some thinning of hair. C and D, The rash has cleared dramatically after 4 days of biotin. www.mindd.org 3
Metabolic Case Study 4 y.o. check-up: delayed toileting Pre-school noted sensory overload, lack of empathy, anxiety symptoms School consultant: Asperger s Greenspan: Static encephalopathy with regulatory disorder, motor problems and sensory dysfunction Evidence of oxidative stress 4 yo boy with regulatory disorder and static encephalopathy Double hit MMR 12 months 15 months Genetic predisposition pathway single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs that increase risk of problems with genomics /transulfuration abnormalities www.mindd.org 4
Use of Methylcobalamin in Children with Autism See Neubrander protocol We recommend concentrated methylcobalamin so tiny amounts are sufficient Initially start with injections every 3 days Sometimes daily or every other day Assess progress with questionnaire Keep teachers and therapists blinded Use of folinic acid in children with autism 400-800-1600 mcg/day Can cause hyperactivitiy Options: Start MB12 alone, then add folinic acid after 5 weeks Combination injection with MB12, folinic acid and N acetyl cysteine Detoxification and Oxidative Stress: the science behind the recommendations James SJ et al. Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 80: 1611-7. James SJ et al. Low plasma methionine, cysteine and glutathione levels are associated with increased frequency of common polymorphisms affecting methylation and glutathione pathways in children with autism. Experimental Biology 2005; 19: A51-A52. James SJ et al. Thimerosal neurotoxicity is associated with glutathione depletion: protection with glutathione precursors. Neurotoxicology 2005; 26(1):1-8. Methionine Cycle Metabolites Control Children Autistic Children p value n=33 n=20 Methionine (µmol/l) 31.5 ± 5.7 19.3 ± 9.7 0.001 SAM (nmol/l) 96.9 ± 12 75.8 ± 16.2 0.01 SAH (nmol/l) 19.4 ± 3.4 28.9 ± 7.2 0.001 SAM/SAH ratio 5.2 ± 1.3 2.9 ± 0.8 0.001 Adenosine (µmol/l) 0.27 ± 0.1 0.39 ± 0.2 0.05 Homocysteine (µmol/l) 6.4 ± 1.3 5.8 ± 1.0 0.01 Transulfuration Metabolites Control Children Autistic Children p value n=33 n=20 Homocysteine (µmol/l) 6.4 ± 1.3 5.8 ± 1.0 0.01 Cystathionine (µmol/l) 0.17 ± 0.05 0.14 ± 0.06 0.002 Cysteine (µmol/l) 202 ± 17 163 ± 15 0.001 Total glutathione (µmol/l) 7.6 ± 1.4 4.1 ± 0.5 0.001 Oxidized Glutathione (nmol/l) 0.32 ± 0.1 0.55 ± 0.2 0.001 GSH/GSSG Ratio 25.5 ± 8.9 8.6 ± 3.5 0.001 Methionine Cycle Metabolites Before and After Supplementation Folinic Be Baseline Folinic + Betaine Betaine + B12 Methionine (µmol/l) 19.2 ± 3.5 (low) 25.7 ± 3.6 30.9 ± 7.7 SAM (nmol/l) 75.5 ± 5.0 (low) 112.9 ± 20.8 101.6 ± 20.5 SAH (nmol/l) 27.6 ± 6.1 (high) 16.9 ± 6.5 14.3 ± 7.5 SAM/SAH ratio 2.9 ± 0.8 (low) 7.4 ± 4.1 8.9 ± 4.5 Adenosine (µmol/l) 0.30 ± 0.2 (high) 0.18 ± 0.04 0.14 ± 0.03 Homocysteine (µmol/l) 5.4 ± 0.9 (low) 6.7 ± 0.7 7.4 ± 1.7 www.mindd.org 5
Metabolic Transsulfuration Metabolites Before and After Supplementation Baseline Folinic + Betaine Folinic + B12 Homocysteine (µmol/l) 5.4 ± 0.9 6.7 ± 0.7 7.4 ± 1.7 Cystathionine (µmol/l) 0.10 ± 0.02 0.22 ± 0.08 0.25 ± 0.08 Cysteine (µmol/l) 166 ± 11.4 180 ± 11 Glutathione (µmol/l) 4.0 ± 0.7 5.0 ± 0.9 6.7 ± 1.6 Oxidized GSSG (nmol/l) 0.59 ± 0.2 0.38 ± 0.2 0.24 ± 0.5 GSH/GSSG Ratio 13.8 ± 4.8 28.7 ± 7.1 7.5 ± 2.3 199.3 ± 15 Treatment Strategies for Oxidative Stress Methionine Folinic acid MAT THF SAM MTase MS BHMT TMG B12 Methylcobalamin Betaine 5-CH3THF Choline SAH SAHH Homocysteine THF: tetrahydrofolate B6 & B6 CBS Mag Reduced glutathione Adenosine ADA Inosine AK AMP DPPIV Casein free Gluten free Cystathionine Cysteine Enzymes of DNA, RNA, Proteins, Catecholamines, Phospholipids, Creatine Glutathione Transsulfuration Pathway GSSG www.rimlandcenter.com for mentoring: drmumper@rimlandcenter.com RIMLAND CENTER RECOVERY INITIATIVES AND MENTORING LINKING AUTISM NETWORKS AND DISCOVERIES www.mindd.org 6