Plasma Short‐Chain Fatty Acids in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

BackgroundShort‐chain fatty acids are exclusively produced by gut microbiota and are reduced in feces of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study was to conduct a case–control study on peripheral concentration of short‐chain fatty acids based on evidence of pathologic changes in the blood–brain barrier in PD and the possible role of short‐chain fatty acids in blood–brain barrier permeability.MethodsThe plasma short‐chain fatty acid concentration was measured in 38 PD and 33 normal controls using gas chromatography. The clinical characteristics of patients with PD and controls were evaluated, and dietary information was obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. Short‐chain fatty acid concentrations were further compared after adjusting for age, sex, and significant food frequency questionnaire items.ResultsThe concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate did not differ between patients with PD and controls in unadjusted comparison. Dietary intakes of fibers, carbohydrates, lipids (total and fatty acids), and proteins did not differ between groups. After correction of covariates, acetic acid concentration was higher in patients with PD than in controls (116.47 ± 16.83 vs 108.20 ± 18.37 μmol/L; P = 0.010). In correlation analyses, acetic acid concentration was positively correlated (R = 0.374, P = 0.021) with age, propionic acid concentration was negatively correlated with UPDRS part III score (R = −0.376, P = 0.020) and use of entacapone (R = −0.325, P = 0.047), and butyric acid concentration was correlated with monoamine oxidase inhibitor use (R = 0.382, P = 0.018) and anticholinergic use (R = −0.385, P = 0.024).ConclusionsPlasma short‐chain fatty acids were paradoxically increased in PD and were associated with disease severity and antiparkinsonian medications. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the relationships of gut dysbiosis and inflammation with plasma short‐chain fatty acids. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Propionic Acid and Fasudil as Treatment against Rotenone Toxicity in an In Vitro Model of Parkinson’s Disease

“…Therefore, the immune system of the PD patients is an important target for further therapeutic research [48]. In a recent analysis of the plasma concentration of propionic acid in PD patients, low propionic acid levels correlated with worse motor function as measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Score part III (UPDRS-III) [52]. Besides studies describing protective and anti-inflammatory influence, other data also demonstrate negative effects of SCFA.…”

Dietary Intakes and Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Demographic factors, co-morbidity, and other lipid levels were previously described 16 , which were not different between PD patients and controls, while WCS and K-NMSS score were signi cantly higher in PD patients than those in controls (Table 1).…”

“…patients not receiving antibiotics, immune-related drugs, and vaccines (for 3 months, respectively), lipid-lowering drugs (for 1 month), and vitamin supplements, ω-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics (for 2 weeks, respectively) 16 . The exclusion criterion was as follows: patients with secondary parkinsonism, other signi cant central nervous system diseases, malignancy within the last 3 years, and signi cant gastrointestinal disorders 16 .…”

<em>Mens sana in corpore sano:</em> Does the Glycemic Index Have a Role to Play?

“…In support of that, SCFA concentration in feces of PD patients is decreased compared to control individuals [139]. However, Shin et al also observed an increase of plasma SCFA correlated to the PD severity [140]. This result suggests a putative SCFA leakage from intestinal lumen to the bloodstream.…”