Gluten exorphin
Gluten exorphins are a group of opioid peptides which are formed during digestion of the gluten protein. It has been hypothesized that people with autism and schizophrenia have abnormal leakage from the gut of these compounds, which then pass into the brain and disrupt brain function.[1] This is partly the basis for the gluten-free, casein-free diet. However, clinical studies of autism patients who followed this diet have found no evidence of benefit,[2][3] and the diet may even present a greater risk to brain development.[4]
There are five known gluten exorphins with known structure:
Gluten exorphin A5
- Structure: H-Gly-Tyr-Tyr-Pro-Thr-OH
- Chemical formula: C29H37N5O9
- Molecular weight: 599.64 g/mol
Gluten exorphin B4
- Structure: H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Trp-OH
- Chemical formula: C24H27N5O6
- Molecular weight: 481.50 g/mol
Gluten exorphin B5
- Structure: H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Trp-Leu-OH
- Chemical formula: C30H38N6O7
- Molecular weight: 594.66 g/mol
Gluten exorphin C
- Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-OH
- Chemical formula: C29H45N5O8
- Molecular weight: 591.70 g/mol
References
- ^ Autism and Schizophrenia: Intestinal Disorders, Cade, et. al., Nutritional Neuroscience, Volume 3, Issue 1 February 2000 , pages 57 - 72
- ^ Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement, University of Rochester Medical Center, May 19, 2010
- ^ Christison GW, Ivany K (2006). "Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?". J Dev Behav Pediatr 27 (2 Suppl 2): S162–S171. doi:10.1097/00004703-200604002-00015. PMID 16685183.
- ^ Arnold, GL; Hyman, SL; Mooney, RA; Kirby, RS (2003). "Plasma amino acids profiles in children with autism: Potential risk of nutritional deficiencies". Journal of autism and developmental disorders 33 (4): 449–54. doi:10.1023/A:1025071014191. PMID 12959424.