Biomarker Exploration in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Monitoring Sulforaphane Treatment Responses in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Exploratory biomarker evaluation in ex vivo healthy human PBMCs and an uncontrolled before-and-after oral treatment cohort in ASD patients.
PubMed 32242086 · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-62714-4
What was done
Researchers evaluated mRNA biomarkers across three physiological pathways (redox metabolism, heat shock response, and inflammation) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Marker responsiveness was first tested ex vivo using real-time quantitative PCR in PBMCs from healthy donors exposed to sulforaphane. Biomarker expression was then measured in PBMCs from patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following oral administration of sulforaphane.
What was found
The abstract reports directional changes without presenting numerical values, sample sizes, or p-values. Following oral sulforaphane in ASD patients, PBMC mRNA levels of cytoprotective enzymes (NQO1, HO-1, AKR1C1) and heat shock proteins (HSP27, HSP70) increased, whereas pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, TNF-α) decreased. The authors noted that no single marker had sufficient individual sensitivity or specificity, but functional grouped panels showed utility as pharmacodynamic readouts.
Why it matters
Biomarkers to objectively track biological responses to interventions in ASD are currently lacking. These PBMC gene expression panels may serve as practical pharmacodynamic monitoring tools for sulforaphane treatment.
Limits
The abstract omits sample size (n), participant demographics, sulforaphane dosage, treatment duration, and numerical effect estimates. The study lacked a placebo or untreated control arm for the in vivo phase, and no correlations with clinical ASD symptoms were reported.
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