children with autism had significantly lower baseline plasma concentrations of methionine, SAM, homocysteine, cystathionine, cysteine, and total glutathione and significantly higher concentrations of SAH, adenosine, and oxidized glutathione
This metabolic profile is consistent with impaired capacity for methylation (significantly lower ratio of SAM to SAH) and increased oxidative stress (significantly lower redox ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione) in children with autism
increased vulnerability to oxidative stress and a decreased capacity for methylation may contribute to the development and clinical manifestation of autism.
SAMe shown to lower liver toxicity in chemotherapy treatment. SAMe could be a powerful chemotherapeutic adjuvant. This makes since, because cancer is known to be a hypomethylated state. Low methyl donors will reduce CBS activity and thus lower glutathione. This will result in increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. SAMe will open the CBS activity up and increase glutathione production.