Effects of a Four‐Strain Probiotic on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gut dysbiosis and gut-brain-axis involvement in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) support the use of gut-microbiota-modulating interventions. Probiotics may help manage constipation in PwP; however, mechanisms underpinning additional beneficial properties are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim was evaluating the effects of a probiotic (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium) on gut microbiota, inflammation, motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS) in PwP and constipation. METHODS: CFU/mL) or placebo orally (70 mL/day) for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the differential abundance of gut microbiota taxa between baseline and end-of-treatment in the active versus placebo group. Secondary/exploratory endpoints included changes in inflammatory cytokines plasma levels, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) plasma and fecal levels, motor and NMS outcomes after 12 weeks. A per-protocol analysis was performed. RESULTS: Between July 17, 2019 and February 6, 2022, 74 participants were randomized. Data from 35 (probiotic) and 33 (placebo) participants were analyzed. Enrichments of bacteria with beneficial health-related properties (Odoribacteraceae, Enterococcaceae, and Blautia faecicola) were observed in the active group compared to placebo (P ≤ 0.05). Proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α plasma levels decreased with probiotic treatment and increased with placebo (P < 0.05). No changes in SCFAs levels were observed. Reductions in time-to-on and NMS scale scores (P < 0.05) were observed only in the active group. CONCLUSIONS: This probiotic was effective in beneficially enriching the gut microbiota with potential to reduce systemic inflammation, shortening time-to-on following levodopa administration, and alleviating NMS burden in PwP experiencing constipation. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Source: Movement Disorders
DOI: 10.1002/mds.70047
Authors: Valentina Leta, Pavlos Zinzalias, Lucia Batzu, Gargi Mandal, Juliet Staunton, Frida Jernstedt, Kristina Rosqvist, Jonathan Timpka, Trinette van Vliet, Dhaval Trivedi, Aleksandra Podlewska, Miriam Parry, Daniel J. van Wamelen, Alexandra Rizos, Carolina Sportelli, Ana Laura Bonder, Guy Chung‐Faye, Cristian Falup‐Pecurariu, Simon Gaisford, Edoardo Moretto, Gwenaelle Le Gall, David Vauzour, Ana Rodriguez‐Mateos, Anna Sauerbier, Carmen Rodriguez Blazquez, Jonas Ghyselinck, Benoît Marsaux, Carmine Maria Pariante, Alessandra Borsini, Per Odin, Kallol Ray Chaudhuri
Institutions: King's College London, King's College Hospital, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Transylvania University of Brașov, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, National Research Council, University of East Anglia, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases, ProDigest (Belgium)
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,480
OpenAlex ID: W4415467557