The utility of 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine and 8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase as a novel diagnostic marker for autistic children

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that develops in childhood. Although genetics are a key factor in its development, neurological, environmental, and immunological influences also play significant roles. This study investigated the oxidative DNA damage (ODD) biomarker 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) in children with autism, exploring its connection to disease severity and the DNA repair enzyme oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1). This study investigated the oxidative DNA damage (ODD) biomarker, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), in children with autism, examining its relationship with disease severity and the DNA repair enzyme oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1). The study included 89 children with ASD and 29 typically developing children in an observational controlled cross-sectional design. Autism severity was assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ELISA was used to measure serum levels of 8-OHdG and OGG1.The results showed that children with autism had significantly higher serum 8-OHdG levels compared to healthy children (P=0.04), with a significant positive correlation with autism severity (P=0.02). Additionally, serum OGG1 levels were significantly lower in children with autism than in their healthy counterparts (P=0.0004), with a notable positive association with disease severity (P=0.0001). These findings indicate that elevated serum 8-OHdG levels may play a key role in oxidative DNA damage in ASD. Higher levels of 8-OHdG in children with severe ASD symptoms could serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis. Furthermore, the reduced levels of the repair enzyme OGG1, associated with increased 8-OHdG levels, contribute to the observed DNA damage in ASD.