The Impact of Probiotics on Clinical Symptoms and Peripheral Cytokines Levels in Parkinson's Disease: Preliminary In Vivo Data.

2024-11-15
Brain sciences 14(11)

PubMed: 39595910
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14111147

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: Forty PD patients
Methods: Patients were blindly randomized to receive either active probiotics or placebo, with clinical evaluations and plasma cytokines assessed at enrollment and after 12 weeks

Introduction. Previous studies have shown that probiotics have positive effects on both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, in preclinical settings, probiotics have demonstrated the ability to counteract neuronal loss and alpha-synuclein aggregation, important pathological hallmarks of PD. Notably, preliminary in vitro studies have revealed the immunomodulatory properties of probiotics. This study aims to evaluate the impact of probiotics on symptoms and peripheral cytokines levels in PD patients compared to placebo. Methods. Patients were enrolled and blindly randomized to receive either active probiotics (comprising Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01 LMG P-21384, Bifidobacterium longum BL03 DSM 16603, Bifidobacterium adolescentis BA02 DSM 18351, Fructo-oligosaccharides and Maltodextrin-Group A) or placebo (Maltodextrin-Group B). Clinical evaluations and plasma levels cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and TGF-β) were also assessed at enrollment and after 12 weeks. Anti-parkinsonian therapy remained stable throughout the study. Results. Forty PD patients were recruited. After 12 weeks, Group A showed significant improvement in motor symptoms (UPDRS III: 13.89 ± 4.08 vs. 12.74 ± 4.57, p = 0.028) and non-motor symptoms (NMSS: 34.32 ± 21.41 vs. 30.11 ± 19.89, p = 0.041), with notable improvement in the gastrointestinal sub-item (3.79 ± 4.14 vs. 1.89 ± 2.54, p = 0.021). A reduction of IFN-γ levels was observed in both groups, but group A also showed a significant decrease in IL-6 and a slight increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β. Conclusions. Our data suggest that probiotics may modulate peripheral cytokines levels and improve clinical symptoms in PD patients. Probiotics may, therefore, represent a valuable adjunctive therapy to conventional anti-parkinsonian drugs.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Bifidobacterium longum BL03	—	Improved Gastrointestinal Symptoms	Beneficial	Small	View source with notable improvement in the gastrointestinal sub-item (3.79 ± 4.14 vs. 1.89 ± 2.54, p = 0.021).
Bifidobacterium longum BL03	—	Improved Non-Motor Symptoms	Beneficial	Small	View source and non-motor symptoms (NMSS: 34.32 ± 21.41 vs. 30.11 ± 19.89, p = 0.041), with notable improvement in the gastrointestinal sub-item (3.79 ± 4.14 vs. 1.89 ± 2.54, p = 0.021).
Bifidobacterium longum BL03	—	Improved Parkinson's Disease Motor Symptoms	Beneficial	Small	View source After 12 weeks, Group A showed significant improvement in motor symptoms (UPDRS III: 13.89 ± 4.08 vs. 12.74 ± 4.57, p = 0.028)
Bifidobacterium longum BL03	—	Reduced IL-6 Levels	Beneficial	Small	View source A reduction of IFN-γ levels was observed in both groups, but group A also showed a significant decrease in IL-6 and a slight increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β.