npj Parkinsons Dis: A comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of the gut microbiome of patients with Parkinson's disease may reveal changes related to intestinal inflammation

March 15th, 2021 // --Recently , in a research report published in the international journal npj Parkinson's Disease , scientists from the Quadram Institute and other institutions in the United Kingdom analyzed the gut microbiome of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease that affects the function of the body’s nerve cells that produce dopamine, and dopamine is a substance that coordinates the body’s movement; as more nerve cells die, the production of dopamine will decrease, leading to the body There are gradual tremors, slow movement and muscle stiffness; in addition, many patients with Parkinson’s disease have some gastrointestinal problems, and they have begun to appear several years before their motor symptoms appear.

Image source: npj Parkinson's Disease (2021).

These observations may encourage scientists to conduct genome sequencing studies to identify certain specific bacteria in the gut microbiome of patients with Parkinson's disease, and compare them with people who do not suffer from the disease; current studies have shown that, There are certain differences in the microbiome of patients with Parkinson's disease, but scientists have not yet formed a clear consensus, and the differences between different studies may also reflect different methods, but also reflect the internal changes of the human microbiome.

In order to solve this problem, in this study, the researchers re-analyzed patient data and control data collected from 6 different countries.

The researchers said that the bacteria that are eliminated from the body of Parkinson's disease patients produce butyrate, and these butyrates can be used by cells in the intestine to maintain the integrity of the intestine as a barrier; butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids It plays a very critical role in the interaction between the body's intestines, nervous system and brain.

This study supports and increases the link between the gut microbiome, intestinal inflammation, and immune function in patients with Parkinson's.

Changes in the microbiome may be used as special biomarkers, especially to clarify the occurrence of early disease, and it can also provide targets for the development of new therapies; finally, the researchers said, restore the gut microbes of patients with Parkinson’s disease The balance of the group may slow down the symptoms of certain diseases, and this is also a very exciting study currently being carried out by researchers.

Original source:

Romano, S.