Plasma phthalate and bisphenol a levels and oxidant-antioxidant status in autistic children

• Plasma phthalate and bisphenol A (BPA) levels were determined in autistic children.
• Oxidant/antioxidant status was also evaluated.
• Plasma BPA levels of children with PDD-NOS were significantly higher than control.
• BPA exposure might be associated with PDD-NOS and oxidative stress.
• Intracellular oxidant/antioxidant imbalance might facilitate its neurotoxicity.

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine disruting chemicals (EDCs) that are suggested to exert neurotoxic effects. This study aimed to determine plasma phthalates and BPA levels along with oxidant/antioxidant status in autistic children [n = 51; including 12 children were diagnosed with “Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)]. Plasma levels of BPA, di (2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and its main metabolite mono (2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP); thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and carbonyl groups; erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and glutathione (GSH) and selenium levels were measured. Plasma BPA levels of children with PDD-NOS were significantly higher than both classic autistic children and controls (n = 50). Carbonyl, selenium concentrations and GPx1, SOD and GR activities were higher (p < 0.05); CAT activity was markedly lower in study group. BPA exposure might be associated with PDD-NOS. Intracellular imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant status might facilitate its neurotoxicity.