- Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors and loss of coordination that usually affects people over the age of 60.
- A new study compared the gut microbiome of Parkinson’s disease patients from five countries.
- The researchers found that although the gut bacteria of people from each country differed, all Parkinson’s patients had low levels of bacteria that make vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B7 (biotin).
- The researchers suggest that this may contribute to neuroinflammation and that supplementation with these vitamins may be beneficial for people with the condition.
Parkinson’s disease
The risk of developing Parkinson’s increases with age, and men are 50% more likely to develop it than women. Other risk factors include genetics, exposure to environmental toxins, and previous traumatic brain injury.
According to the study:
Now, a study analysing the microbiomes of people with and without Parkinson’s disease in five countries has found that those with Parkinson’s have significantly reduced bacterial genes that produce riboflavin (vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7).
The study was led by scientists at the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan and published in the journal Neurology.
“This is a very interesting study,” said Michael S. Okun, M.D., director of the Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders, chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida and national medical director for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, who was not involved in the study. Today’s Medical News:
“It is intriguing to find that fecal biosynthesis of both riboflavin and biotin is reduced in this small study of Parkinson’s disease patients, and that there may be differences depending on geography and diet.”
The researchers used fecal analysis to examine the genomes of gut bacteria in 94 Japanese Parkinson’s disease patients and 73 controls.
They found differences in the gut microbiome between countries and between people with and without Parkinson’s disease.
Regardless of the bacterial species in the gut microbiota, bacterial genes involved in the biosynthesis of the B vitamins riboflavin and biotin were significantly reduced in Parkinson’s disease patients.
both
“I think it’s important to point out that this study did not measure biotin or riboflavin in stool or blood. The authors simply found that the bacterial genes responsible for the synthesis of these molecules were reduced.”
“Therefore, it is unclear from this study whether there are deficiencies associated with these microbiota whose synthesis is not predicted,” he added.
The researchers found that reduced genes for vitamin B2 and vitamin B7 were strongly associated with reduced fecal short-chain fatty acids and polyamines in Parkinson’s disease, both of which are involved in the production of the intestinal mucus layer.
A reduced intestinal mucus barrier increases intestinal permeability, allowing toxins to easily enter the bloodstream, which researchers suggest could increase neuroinflammation.
Sampson explained how these changes affect Parkinson’s symptoms:
“we, [Parkinson’s] Inflammation is increased, which may be in part due to gut microbiota. These vitamins are associated with beneficial immune responses, but it is unclear whether their deficiency contributes to inflammation. [Parkinson’s]. “
“Similarly with polyamines, there is data to support the idea that the gut becomes more permeable. [Parkinson’s]”This may result in the release of bacterial products into the circulatory system, stimulating immune responses and inflammation and contributing to various aspects of disease,” he said. MNT.
“The study authors hypothesize that increased intestinal permeability and the potential effects of pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins may be important in Parkinson’s disease, but this area of research remains more questions than answers.”
Michael Okun
Although the study highlights the connection between the gut microbiome, metabolism and the nervous system, as Sampson pointed out, its findings are not sufficient to suggest changes in clinical practice, such as vitamin B2 or vitamin B7 supplements.
“I think these data are too early to justify therapeutic intervention. Might be To contribute [Parkinson’s]. “
“But these are metabolic predictions from genes encoded by the microbiome. [the researchers] “The direct involvement of the microbiome in these processes or the influence of the microbiome on the levels of these metabolites themselves have not been measured,” he added.
Okun said: MNT Vitamin supplementation can be effective in treating Parkinson’s disease, but supplements should only be taken as advised by a doctor.
“The most common treatment for Parkinson’s is
“Vitamin supplementation should be undertaken under the guidance of a medical professional as it may cause unexpected side effects. There are currently no specific recommendations regarding vitamin B2 and B7 supplementation in people with Parkinson’s disease,” he added.
But Sampson welcomed the study as adding to evidence of the microbiome’s role in Parkinson’s disease.
“These data provide several testable hypotheses:
