Latest figures from the World Health Organization show that more than 8.5 million individuals around the globe are living with Parkinson’s disease. This disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder globally, with the number of individuals with this illness more than doubling since 1990.
The risk of developing this condition heightens with age; in addition, men are 50% more likely than women to develop the disease. Other risk factors include past traumatic brain injury, exposure to environmental toxin and genetics.
Primary symptoms of the condition include muscle stiffness, tremors, impaired coordination and balance, gastrointestinal symptoms and emotional changes, among others.
Prior studies have suggested that a gut microbiota imbalance may play a role in Parkison’s development. Now new research that examined the gut microbiota of patients with Parkison’s disease determined that individuals with the illness had fewer bacteria that make vitamins B7(biotin) and B2 (riboflavin).
The study was led by researchers at Japan’s Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. For their research, the scientists utilized fecal analysis to investigate the gut bacteria genomes of 94 individuals with the condition and 73 individuals in the control group.
Once this was done, the researchers recorded bacterial genomes using shotgun sequencing and compared their findings with data from studies in Taiwan, China, Germany and the United States.
The team discovered differences in the gut microbiota of those with Parkinson’s and those without. In particular, the scientists observed Parkinson’s patients had reduced bacterial genes for biosynthesis of the B2 and B7 vitamins. These vitamins are needed to metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins into glucose for energy. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties and improve the immune system’s functioning.
In their report, the researchers explained that a reduction in these bacterial genes was associated with a drop in polyamines and fecal short-chain fatty acids in Parkinson’s. Both substances play a role in mucus barrier production in the intestine. A decrease in this mucus barrier makes the intestine more permeable, which allows toxins to enter the bloodstream. The scientists hypothesize that this may increase neuroinflammation, which is a key feature of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson Foundation’s National medical director, Michael S. Okun, stated that based on these findings, supplementation with vitamins could be useful during treatment for this neurodegenerative disorder. Okun, who wasn’t involved in this study, added that supplements should only be taken when advised by one’s healthcare professional because replacing vitamins could cause unintended adverse effects.
The researchers published their findings in the “npj Parkinson’s Disease” journal.
The growing number of insights into the different factors influencing the onset of Parkinson’s could give companies such as Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) more ammunition to come up with efficacious treatments for this condition.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLNN
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