The Interplay between Gut Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease: Implications on Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

The bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota (GM) and the Central Nervous System, the so-called gut microbiota brain axis (GMBA), deeply affects brain function and has an important impact on the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), gastrointestinal symptoms often precede the onset of motor and non-motor manifestations, and alterations in the GM composition accompany disease pathogenesis. Several studies have been conducted to unravel the role of dysbiosis and intestinal permeability in PD onset and progression, but the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of GM modifying approaches remain to be fully elucidated. After a brief introduction on the involvement of GMBA in the disease, we present evidence for GM alterations and leaky gut in PD patients. According to these data, we then review the potential of GM-based signatures to serve as disease biomarkers and we highlight the emerging role of probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation as supportive therapeutic approaches in PD. Finally, we analyze the mutual influence between commonly prescribed PD medications and gut-microbiota, and we offer insights on the involvement also of nasal and oral microbiota in PD pathology, thus providing a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on the role of microbial features in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Neuroprotective Effects of Sodium Butyrate by Restoring Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting TLR4 Signaling in Mice with MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease

“…Growing evidence suggests the association of gut microbiota dysbiosis with PD occurrence, development, and progression [ 29 , 30 ]. Altering the gut microbiota composition is a viable target for diagnosing and treating PD [ 31 , 32 ]. The NaB treatment had no significant effect on normal animals, especially on gut microbiota [ 22 ], intestinal inflammation [ 33 ], neuroinflammation [ 34 ], and motor function [ 35 ].…”

The Role of Intestinal Microbiota and Diet as Modulating Factors in the Course of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

“…Defining the specific mechanisms by which the microbiota impacts neurodegenerative processes may lead to innovative diagnostic tools and early intervention strategies [ 105 ]. Future studies should also consider the possible role of oral/nasal microbiota in diagnosing microbiota dysregulation, which could be taken into consideration as a future diagnostic tool, but more data are needed [ 106 ]. Other gastrointestinal factors, such as intestinal permeability and reduced intestinal motility, have been shown to be associated with higher risk of neurodegeneration [ 107 ].…”

Role of Hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein in the Prevention of Aging and Related Disorders: Focus on Neurodegeneration, Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction and Gut Microbiota

“…On the other hand, the transplantation of gut microbiota from normal mice into the intestinal tract of mice with ischemic stroke improved the long-term prognosis and survival rate [ 367 ]. Therefore, therapeutic approaches targeting gut dysbiosis can be considered as promising tools for the treatment and management of stroke or, more in general, of various age-related disorders in which gut dysbiosis may have a role, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as immune system diseases and cancer [ 368 , 369 , 370 , 371 ].…”