Vitamin D3 Supplementation and Aquatic Exercise Combination as A Safe- Efficient Therapeutic Strategy to ameliorate Interleukin-6 and 10, and social interaction in Children with Autism

AbstractIntroduction Increasing evidence demonstrated that there are altered levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in ASD and pointed that immune dysfunction may also relate to social deficits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise combined with vitamin D supplementation on social interaction and two related cytokines (Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Material & Methods Forty boys with ASD (mean age: 10.90; age range: 6–14 years) were randomly assigned to the three intervention (groups 1, 2, and 3) and one control groups (each 10 participants). Participants in the group 1 and 3 received a 10-week aquatic exercise program. Subjects in the groups 2 and 3 took orally 50,000 IU vitamin D3/ week. We evaluated the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10, and the social interaction of the participants at baseline and post-intervention. Results Compared to the control group, all three interventions improved social skills score (p< 0.001). surprisingly, the combination strategy could significantly reduce IL-6 and increase IL-10 serum levels in children with ASD (p< 0.001). Conclusion It is recommended to benefit aqua-based exercise programs combined to vitamin D supplementation in order to maximize improving social and communication dysfunction in children with ASD.

Vitamin D3 Supplementation and Aquatic Exercise Combination as A Safe- Efficient Therapeutic Strategy to ameliorate Interleukin-6 and 10, and social interaction in Children with Autism Keywords:

Swimming , vitamin D supplementation , interleukin-6 , interleukin-10 , Children with autism