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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with multiple physiological abnormalities. Current laboratory and clinical evidence most commonly report mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and immunological imbalance in almost every cell type of the body. The present work aims to evaluate oxygen consumption rate (OCR), extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), and inflammation-related molecules such as Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), chitinase 3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-9 (IL-9) in ASD children with and without regression compared to healthy controls. Children with ASD (n = 56) and typically developing children (TDC, n = 12) aged 1.11 to 11 years were studied. Mitochondrial activity was examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from children with ASD and from the control group, using a metabolic analyzer. Gene and protein levels of IL-1β, IL-9, COX-2, and YKL-40 were investigated in parallel. Our results showed that PBMCs of the ASD subgroup of regressed patients (ASD R(+), n = 21) had a specific pattern of mitochondrial activity with significantly increased maximal respiration, respiratory spare capacity, and proton leak compared to the non-regressed group (ASD R(-), n = 35) and TDC. Furthermore, we found an imbalance in the studied proinflammatory molecules and increased levels in ASD R(-) proving the involvement of inflammatory changes. The results of this study provide new evidence for specific bioenergetic profiles of immune cells and elevated inflammation-related molecules in ASD. For the first time, data on a unique metabolic profile in ASD R(+) and its comparison with a random group of children of similar age and sex are provided. Our data show that mitochondrial dysfunction is more significant in ASD R(+), while in ASD R(-) inflammation is more pronounced. Probably, in the group without regression, immune mechanisms (immune dysregulation, leading to inflammation) begin initially, and at a later stage mitochondrial activity is also affected under exogenous factors. On the other hand, in the regressed group, the initial damage is in the mitochondria, and perhaps at a later stage immune dysfunction is involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disturbance of neurodevelopment with a complicated pathogenesis and unidentified etiology. Many children with ASD have a history of "allergic symptoms", often in the absence of mast cell (MC)-positive tests. Activation of MCs by various stimuli may release molecules related to inflammation and neurotoxicity, contributing to the development of ASD. The aim of the present paper is to enrich the current knowledge on the relationship between MCs and ASD by discussing key molecules and immune pathways associated with MCs in the pathogenesis of autism. Cytokines, essential marker molecules for MC degranulation and therapeutic targets, are also highlighted. Understanding the relationship between ASD and the activation of MCs, as well as the involved molecules and interactions, are the main points contributing to solving the enigma. Key molecules, associated with MCs, may provide new insights to the discovery of drug targets for modeling inflammation in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, results are presented regarding the negative effects of different concentrations of three classes of pesticides - an insecticide, herbicide and fungicide on one relatively uncommon, but reliable histochemical biomarker in the field of fish toxicology - lipid accumulation in the liver of common carp under laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays pollution of aquatic ecosystems with pesticides causes acute and chronic poisoning of fish, leading to serious damage to vital organs, such as the liver. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) is a popular edible fish favored for culture due to its rapid growth, hardiness and reproduction in confined waters. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the negative effects of cypermethrin (CYP) and chlorpyrifos (CPF), based on their maximum allowable concentrations (Directive 2013/39/EU) on histochemical and biochemical biomarkers in the liver of common carp. The histochemical analysis included Periodic acid-Shiff stainig (PAS reaction) and Sudan Black B staining, while in the biochemical study different hepatic enzyme activities such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). The negative effects of the tested pesticides on fish were expressed with liver changes in the amount of glycogen and lipids, and enzyme changes of LDH, ASAT and ALAT, caused by the acute and chronic exposure to cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos under laboratory conditions. The results from such experimental set ups could be used in the legislation of protection water bodies from contamination, in areas near intensive application of plant protection products and also in implementing the Directive 2013/39/EU and Water Frame Directive by using multi-biomarker approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of characteristics make fish excellent experimental models in toxicological research, especially for the contamination of aquatic systems. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the negative effects of different classes of pesticides (insecticide, herbicide and fungicide), based on their LC50 on the gills histological architecture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758). The effects of the tested pesticides on fish gills were expressed with histopathological alterations, such as proliferative, degenerative and changes in the circulatory system. Based on our results, the test insecticide showed higher toxicity with more severe irreversible necrotic changes in common carp gills compared to the herbicide and fungicide exposure. The identified histopathological changes in the fish gills can be successfully applied as reliable biomarkers for monitoring the degree of negative effects on the organisms due to the pesticide toxicity. The results from such experiments could be applied in the legislation in order to protect the water bodies from pesticide contamination, in areas with intensive application of plant protection products used in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]