Hydrogen Sulfide Produced by Gut Bacteria May Induce Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Several bacterial species can generate hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Study evidence favors the view that the microbiome of the colon harbors increased amounts of H2S producing bacteria in Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, H2S can easily penetrate cell membranes and enter the cell interior. In the cells, excessive amounts of H2S can potentially release cytochrome c protein from the mitochondria, increase the iron content of the cytosolic iron pool, and increase the amount of reactive oxygen species. These events can lead to the formation of alpha-synuclein oligomers and fibrils in cells containing the alpha-synuclein protein. In addition, bacterially produced H2S can interfere with the body urate metabolism and affect the blood erythrocytes and lymphocytes. Gut bacteria responsible for increased H2S production, especially the mucus-associated species of the bacterial genera belonging to the Desulfovibrionaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families, are likely play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Special attention should be devoted to changes not only in the colonic but also in the duodenal microbiome composition with regard to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Influenza infections may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease by causing the overgrowth of H2S-producing bacteria both in the colon and duodenum.

Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Profiling Analysis of ANIT-Induced Cholestasis and the Effects of Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi Decoction Intervention

“…Simultaneously, these microbes can also produce some important SCFAs, including formate, acetate, lactate, propionate, succinate, and valerate. Gut microbes contribute to increased H 2 S production, especially the bacterial species belonging to the Desulfovibrionaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families, and the play multiple roles in many physiological processes related to inflammation and immunity ( 54 ).…”

Microbiome–gut–brain dysfunction in prodromal and symptomatic Lewy body diseases

“…A recent model has proposed that the increase in H 2 S concentrations causes leaky membrane resulting in the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and an increase in cytosolic iron levels. This, in combination with magnetite nanoparticles originating from Desulfovibrio species may result in α-syn aggregation via production of reactive oxygen species [ 118 ].…”

The Reactive Species Interactome - Mitochondria Axis

“…Commensal oral bacteria, including Firmicutes Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Actinobacteria play a crucial role in shaping the development of pulmonary hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, through regulation of nitrate, nitrite, and NO synthesis and signaling, including with nitrite and nitrate reductase activities [141]. In Parkinson's disease, H2S generated by gut bacterial microbiota, including by Akkermansia muciniphila, Bilophila wadsworthia, Prevotella, and Porphyromonas, may induce the disease, with an excess of H2S that promotes mitochondrial dysfunction, increases iron content and ROS, and leads to alpha-synuclein aggregation [142]. In addition, during inflammation in the intestinal epithelium, H2S is overgenerated by multiple bacteria, including Fusobacterium [143].…”