Rosemary Waring
Encyclopedia
Rosemary Waring, a reader in human toxicology
at the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham
, was the first researcher to produce scientific evidence suggestive of abnormal sulfur metabolism
affecting people with autism spectrum disorders. Her findings suggest that people with autism
present with consistently lower levels of circulating plasma sulfate
and higher than normal levels of urinary sulfate than non-symptomatic controls (reflective of excessive 'dumping' of sulfate into the urine). Follow-up work has suggested that people with autism also present with higher than normal levels of other sulfur
-related compounds, including sulfite
.
Dr. Waring found that most people with autism conditions have a deficiency in a key detoxification pathway involved with sulfation
. The enzyme involved is phenol sulfur-transferase (PST), which is essential to the process of breaking down and removing certain toxins from the body. Waring postulates that symptoms arise from an inadequate supply of usable sulfate ions, rather than from a deficiency of the metabolic enzyme itself. Her findings have been very influential in the field of biomedical interventions in autism.(see: autism therapies
).
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
at the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, was the first researcher to produce scientific evidence suggestive of abnormal sulfur metabolism
Sulfur metabolism
Sulfur metabolism is vital for all living organisms as it is a constituent of a number of essential organic molecules like cysteine, methionine, coenzyme A, and iron-sulfur clusters. These compounds are involved in a number of essential cellular processes such as protein biosynthesis or the...
affecting people with autism spectrum disorders. Her findings suggest that people with autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
present with consistently lower levels of circulating plasma sulfate
Sulfate
In inorganic chemistry, a sulfate is a salt of sulfuric acid.-Chemical properties:...
and higher than normal levels of urinary sulfate than non-symptomatic controls (reflective of excessive 'dumping' of sulfate into the urine). Follow-up work has suggested that people with autism also present with higher than normal levels of other sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
-related compounds, including sulfite
Sulfite
Sulfites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO. The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although the acid itself is elusive, its salts are widely used.-Structure:...
.
Dr. Waring found that most people with autism conditions have a deficiency in a key detoxification pathway involved with sulfation
Sulfation
Sulfation in biochemistry is the enzyme-catalyzed addition of sulfate to another molecule. It often refers to a phase II enzyme reaction. This biotransformation process uses its cosubstrate 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate to transfer sulfate to a xenobiotic...
. The enzyme involved is phenol sulfur-transferase (PST), which is essential to the process of breaking down and removing certain toxins from the body. Waring postulates that symptoms arise from an inadequate supply of usable sulfate ions, rather than from a deficiency of the metabolic enzyme itself. Her findings have been very influential in the field of biomedical interventions in autism.(see: autism therapies
Autism therapies
Autism therapies attempt to lessen the deficits and abnormal behaviours associated with autism and other autism spectrum disorders , and to increase the quality of life and functional independence of autistic individuals, especially children. Treatment is typically tailored to the child's needs...
).
Select publications
- Waring R.H., Klovrza L.V., "Sulphur Metabolism in Autism". Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine 10, 25-32 (2000)
- Kirk, C.J., Botomley, L., Minican, N., Carpenter, H., Shaw,S., Kohlik,N., Winter, M., Taylor, E.W., Waring, R.H., Michelangeli, M., Harris, R.M., "Environmental endocrine disruptorEndocrine disruptorEndocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with endocrine in animals, including humans. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders...
s dysregulate estrogenEstrogenEstrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
metabolism and Ca2+ homeostasis in fish and mammals via receptor – independent mechanisms", Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 135, 1-8 (2003) - Parsons, R.B., Smith, S.W., Waring, R.H., Williams, A.C. and Ramsden, D.B.‘NicotinamideNicotinamideNicotinamide, also known as niacinamide and nicotinic acid amide, is the amide of nicotinic acid . Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group...
N-methyltransferase in a large scale cohort in the PD brain", Neuroscience Letters, 342 13-16 (2003) - Parsons R.B., Smith., M-L., Williams, A.C., Waring,R.H. and Ramsden, D.B. "Expression of nicotinamide N-methyl transferase in the PD brain", J.Neuropath. Exper. Neurol. 61 111-124 (2002)
- Wilkinson, L.J. and Waring, R.H., "Cysteine dioxygenaseCysteine dioxygenaseCysteine dioxygenase ) is a mammalian non-heme iron enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-cysteine to cysteine sulfinic acid by incorporation of dioxygen....
: modulation of expression in human cell lines by cytokines with control of sulphate formation toxicology in vitro", 16 481-483 (2002)
External links
- BHam.ac.uk - Rosemary Waring's faculty page, University of BirminghamUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
- MGWater.com - ' Report on Absorption of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) across the skin', Rosemary Waring