Nrf2, Ornithine Transferase, Autism and Maternal Age -- A Possible Link?

Recently a report was published of a link between autism and maternal age. While some may criticize that such admissions are worthless, I beg to differ. The Nrf2 antioxidant system which controls a battery of protective genes also controls an enzyme called ornithine aminotransferase which protects against ammonia. High ammonia levels have been implicated as a possible cause for some types of autism. There are behavioral conditions that may improve levels of Nrf2 expression including diet and exercise. While this may be premature, it should be worth more study from autism experts.

Past HEIRS Environmental Illness Research Blogs of Interest:

• Chronic hyperammonemia impairs the glutamate-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway in cerebellar neurons in culture and in the rat in vivo.
• Mitochondrial MAO Enzyme May Contribute to Oxidative Stress in Hyperammonemia!
• Chronic hyperammonemia alters the circadian rhythms of corticosteroid hormone levels and of motor activity in rats.
• Episodic hyperammonemia in adult siblings with hyperornithinemia, hyperammonemia, and homocitrullinuria syndrome.
• Hyperammonemia, Subordination, Hypoxia Influence Stress Hormone CRF Production in Fish
• Neutrophic Factors Protect Against High Ammonia Levels
• Ammonia, Methamphetamine, Cigarette Smoke and Parkinson's Disease
• Nrf2 and Cigarette Smoke ---A Possible Link to B12 Deficiency.......?
• Altered Metabolism, Toxicity, Glutamate Dehydrogenase and NRF-1 and Its Activator PGC-1
• Taurine rescues hippocampal long-term potentiation from ammonia-induced impairment.
• Effect of Acute Exposure to Ammonia on Glutamate Transport in Glial Cells Isolated From the Salamander Retina -- Mort et al. 86 (2): 836 -- Journal of Neurophysiology
• Endotoxin Inactivates Glutamine Synthetase and Impairs Ammonia Elimination in Rats
• Ammonia, ASIC Channels and Mental Health
• Ammonia and Its Relationship To Environmental Illness
• Appetite-suppressing effects of ammonia exposure in rainbow trout associated with regional and temporal activation of brain monoaminergic and CRF systems
• Effects of ammonia and allopurinol on rat hippocampal NMDA receptors.
• Elevated Ammonia and Endotoxin: Implications for Synergistic Toxicity in Environmental Illness
• ImmunoGenetics in Autism, MCS and Cancer -- What Has Food Got To Do With It!

HEIRS Library Tags: PGC-1a, Nrf2,
    Other Blog Tags: PGC-1a, Nrf2,

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Thimmulappa, R. K., Mai, K. H., Srisuma, S., Kensler, T. W., Yamamoto, M., and Biswal, S. (2002). Identification of nrf2-regulated genes induced by the chemopreventive agent sulforaphane by oligonucleotide microarray. Cancer Res, 62(18):5196-5203. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/3728059?show_msg=already_posted
University of California - Davis - Health System (2010, February 8). Link between advanced maternal age and autism confirmed. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 9, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208102411.htm
Holmes, Amy, MD. Heavy Metal Detoxification and Metallothionein Promotion. Autism Treatments. The Healing Center Online. Retrieved on February 10, 2010.