Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.
Psychiatriki. 2022 Sep 19;33(3):228-242. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2022.073. Epub 2022 Apr 24.
Autism is a complex spectrum of disorders with genetic, epigenetic, autoimmune, oxidative stress, and environmental etiologies. Treatment of ASD using dietary approach is a promising strategy, especially owing to its safety and availability. Our study critically analysed the roles and efficacy of antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, camel milk and vitamin D. This systematic review provides an updated synopsis of human studies that investigated therapeutic benefits of these dietary interventions in autism. A total of 943 papers were identified out of which 21 articles were included in the systematic review. The selected studies investigated the impact of 5 different dietary supplementations in ASD symptom and behaviours. These agents include; antioxidants/polyphenolic compounds, probiotics, prebiotics, camel milk and vitamin D. From the results of the present review, antioxidants/polyphenolic compounds decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and improved behavioural symptoms. Probiotics improved behavioural and GI symptoms as well as restored gut microbiota equilibrium. Prebiotics decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, improved behavioural and GI symptoms and improved gut microbiota. Vitamin D improved behavioural symptoms and offered protective effects against neurotoxicity. Camel milk reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Given the chronic nature as well as early onset of ASD, dietary supplements become useful to complement nutritional deficiencies in children with ASD. Key benefits of these agents stem from their ability to target multiple physiological areas via the gut brain-axis and are devoid of potential harmful or aggravating effects on ASD patients. The evidence collated in this review propose that dietary intervention may provide a new platform for the management of autism.
自闭症是一种具有遗传、表观遗传、自身免疫、氧化应激和环境病因的复杂谱系障碍。采用饮食方法治疗 ASD 是一种很有前途的策略，尤其是因为它的安全性和可用性。我们的研究批判性地分析了抗氧化剂、益生菌、益生元、骆驼奶和维生素 D 的作用和疗效。本系统评价提供了对这些饮食干预措施在自闭症中治疗益处的人类研究的最新概述。从这 943 篇论文中，有 21 篇文章被纳入系统评价。所选研究调查了 5 种不同饮食补充剂对 ASD 症状和行为的影响。这些药物包括：抗氧化剂/多酚化合物、益生菌、益生元、骆驼奶和维生素 D。从本综述的结果来看，抗氧化剂/多酚化合物降低了炎症细胞因子的水平并改善了行为症状。益生菌改善了行为和胃肠道症状，并恢复了肠道微生物群的平衡。益生元降低了炎症细胞因子的水平，改善了行为和胃肠道症状，并改善了肠道微生物群。维生素 D 改善了行为症状，并提供了对神经毒性的保护作用。骆驼奶减少了炎症反应和氧化应激。鉴于自闭症的慢性性质和早期发病，膳食补充剂可用于补充自闭症儿童的营养缺乏。这些药物的主要益处源于它们通过肠道-大脑轴靶向多个生理区域的能力，并且对自闭症患者没有潜在的有害或加重作用。本综述中汇集的证据表明，饮食干预可能为自闭症的管理提供一个新的平台。
