Promotion of a Mediterranean Diet Alters Constipation Symptoms and Fecal Calprotectin in People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients · 2024-09-02 · 19 citations

Parkinson’s disease is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, including constipation symptoms and abnormal intestinal permeability and inflammation. A Mediterranean diet (MediDiet) may aid in disease management. This parallel, randomized, controlled trial in people with Parkinson’s (PwP) and constipation symptoms compared a MediDiet against standard of care on change in constipation symptoms, dietary intake, and fecal zonulin and calprotectin concentrations as markers of intestinal permeability and inflammation, respectively. Participants were randomized to either standard of care for constipation (control; n = 17, 65.1 ± 2.2 years) or a MediDiet plus standard of care (n = 19, 68.8 ± 1.4 years) for 8 weeks. Constipation scores decreased with both interventions (p < 0.01), but changes from baseline were not different between groups (MediDiet, −0.5 [−1.0, 0]; control, −0.8 [−1.0, 0.2]; median [25th, 75th]; p = 0.60). The MediDiet group had a higher intake of dietary fiber at week 4 than the control group (13.1 ± 0.7 g/1000 kcal vs. 9.8 ± 0.7 g/1000 kcal; p < 0.001). No differences in fecal zonulin were observed between groups (p = 0.33); however, fecal calprotectin tended to be lower in the MediDiet group at week 8 (45.8 ± 15.1 µg/g vs. 93.9 ± 26.8 µg/g; p = 0.05). The MediDiet and standard interventions reduced constipation symptoms; however, the MediDiet provided additional benefit of increased dietary fiber intake and less intestinal inflammation.

INFLUENCE OF ANTIBACTERIAL IMPLANT COATINGS ON THE VIABILITY OF GRAM-POSITIVE AND GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA AND THE IN VITRO MINERALIZATION

Orthopaedic Proceedings · 2023-04-04

The implantation of endoprosthesis is a routine procedure in orthopaedics. Endoprosthesis are mainly manufactured from ceramics, polymers, metals or metal alloys. To ensure longevity of the implants they should be as biocompatible as possible and ideally have antibacterial properties, to avoid periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). Various antibacterial implant materials have been proposed, but have so far only been used sporadically in patients. PJI is one of the main risk factors for revision surgeries. The aim of the study was to identify novel implant coatings that both exhibit antibacterial properties whilst having optimal biocompatibility. Six different novel implant coatings and surface modifications (EBM TiAl6V4, strontium, TiCuN, TiNbN, gentamicin phosphate (GP), gentamicin phosphate+cationic polymer (GP+CP)) were compared to standard CoCrMo-alloy. The coatings were further characterized with regard to the surface roughness. E. coli and S. capitis were cultured on the modified surfaces to investigate the antibacterial properties. To quantify bacterial proliferation the optical density (OD) was measured and viability was determined using colony forming units (CFU). Murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) were cultured on the surfaces and differentiated into osteoblasts to quantify the mineralisation using the alizarin red assay. All novel coatings showed reduced bacterial proliferation and viability compared to standard CoCrMo-alloy. A significant reduction was observed for GP and GP+CP coated samples compared to CoCrMo (OD GP, E.coli = 0.18±0.4; OD GP+CP, E.coli = 0.13±0.3; p≤0.0002; N≥7-8). An increase in osteoblast-mediated mineralisation was observed on all surfaces tested compared to CoCrMo. Furthermore, GP and GP+CP coated samples showed a statistically significant increase (M GP = 0.21±0.1; M GP+CP = 0.25±0.2; p<0.0001; N≥3-6). The preliminary data indicates that the gentamicin containing surfaces have the most effective antibacterial property and the highest osseointegrative capacity. The use of antibiotic coatings on prostheses could reduce the risk of PJI while being applied on osseointegrative implant surfaces.

The intersection of social determinants of health, the microbiome, and health outcomes in immigrants: A scoping review

American Journal of Biological Anthropology · 2023-09-22 · 9 citations

In the present scoping review, we explore whether existing evidence supports the premise that social determinants of health (SDoH) affect immigrant health outcomes through their effects on the microbiome. We adapt the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities' research framework to propose a conceptual model that considers the intersection of SDoH, the microbiome, and health outcomes in immigrants. We use this conceptual model as a lens through which to explore recent research about SDoH, biological factors associated with changes to immigrants' microbiomes, and long-term health outcomes. In the 17 articles reviewed, dietary acculturation, physical activity, ethnicity, birthplace, age at migration and length of time in the host country, socioeconomic status, and social/linguistic acculturation were important determinants of postmigration microbiome-related transformations. These factors are associated with progressive shifts in microbiome profile with time in host country, increasing the risks for cardiometabolic, mental, immune, and inflammatory disorders and antibiotic resistance. The evidence thus supports the premise that SDoH influence immigrants' health postmigration, at least in part, through their effects on the microbiome. Omission of important postmigration social-ecological variables (e.g., stress, racism, social/family relationships, and environment), limited research among minoritized subgroups of immigrants, complexity and inter- and intra-individual differences in the microbiome, and limited interdisciplinary and biosocial collaboration restrict our understanding of this area of study. To identify potential microbiome-based interventions and promote immigrants' well-being, more research is necessary to understand the intersections of immigrant health with factors from the biological, behavioral/psychosocial, physical/built environment, and sociocultural environment domains at all social-ecological levels.

Gut microbiota composition and diversity before, during, and two months after rifamycin-based tuberculosis preventive therapy

Scientific Reports · 2023-11-02 · 11 citations

Tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy (TPT) is an effective strategy to eliminate TB in low-incidence settings. Shorter TPT regimens incorporating the antimicrobial class of rifamycins are designed to improve adherence and completion rates but carry the risk of modifications to the gut microbiota. We enrolled six subjects diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI) who accepted to initiate TPT. We also enrolled six healthy volunteers unexposed to the rifamycins. We profiled the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V1-V2 region) to document the immediate effect of rifamycin-based TPT on the gut microbiota composition and tracked recovery to baseline two months after TPT. Overall, TPT accounted for 17% of the variance in gut microbial community dissimilarity. This rifamycin-based TPT induced dysbiosis was characterized by a depletion of butyrate-producing taxa (Clostridium-XIVa and Roseburia) and expansion of potentially pathogenic taxa within the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla. Recovery of the gut microbial composition was incomplete two months after TPT. Robust clinical studies are necessary to comprehensively catalogue TPT-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis to inform strategies to mitigate potential long-term sequelae of this important TB control intervention.

Associations of gut microbiome with endogenous estrogen levels in healthy postmenopausal women

Cancer Causes & Control · 2023-06-07 · 3 citations

16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples collected from patients with latent tuberculosis infection before, during, and two months after treatment with 3HP or 4R

BMC Research Notes · 2023-06-12 · 2 citations

OBJECTIVE: We present 16s rRNA gene sequencing (V1-V2 region) and sample data from a pilot observational cohort study to describe the gut microbiota dynamics of subjects with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treated with daily 600 mg rifampicin for four months (4R) or a weekly dose of 900 mg combination of rifapentine and isoniazid for three months (3HP). Our objectives were to (1) document changes to the gut microbiota immediately following exposure to the rifamycins and (2) document recovery to baseline two months after treatment completion. DATA DESCRIPTION: We enrolled six subjects with subjects with LTBI and prospectively followed them for 5-6 months. Each subject provided stool samples before, during, and two months after treatment. Six healthy controls were sampled in parallel with the patients with LTBIs. We report amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and taxonomic assignments for 60 stool samples. Additionally, we provide access to the raw amplicon sequences, and subject responses to questionnaires about their diet, medication, and lifestyle changes over the study follow-up period. Furthermore, we provide the concentration of the parent and partially active rifamycin metabolite concentrations measured validated LC-MS-MS assays of phosphate buffer washes of the stool samples collected from the LTBI participants. This comprehensive dataset is a valuable resource for future systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the impact of LTBI therapy on the gut microbiota.

Therapies for Parkinson’s disease and the gut microbiome: evidence for bidirectional connection

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · 2023-05-30 · 27 citations

The gut brain axis (GBA), a bidirectional communication pathway has often been linked to health and disease, and gut microbiota (GM), a key component of this pathway shown to be altered in Parkinson's disease (PD), are suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of PD. There are few studies that report the impact of oral medication therapy on GM, however, there are even fewer studies that discuss the impact of other treatments such as device assisted therapies (DAT) including deep brain stimulation (DBS), levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion (LCIG) and photobiomodulation (PBM) and how these might impact GM. Here, we review the literature and summarize findings of the potential contributions of GM to the heterogenous clinical response to pharmaceutical therapies among individuals with PD. We also discuss the potential interactions between the GM and DATs such as DBS and LCIG and present evidence for alterations in GM in response to DATs. Given the complexity and highly individual nature of the GM of patients with PD and the potential influence that other external factors such as diet, lifestyle, medications, stage of the disease and other comorbidities, further investigations into the response of GM to therapies are worthy of future study in prospective, controlled trials as well as medication naïve individuals. Such detailed studies will help us further comprehend the relationship between GM in PD patients, and will help investigate the potential of targeting GM associated changes as a treatment avenue for PD.

Gut Microbiome Dynamics Associated with Rifamycin Therapy for Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Findings from a Prospective Cohort Study

Research Square · 2022-12-01 · 2 citations

Abstract Background : Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment is an effective strategy to eliminate TB in low-incidence settings. Shorter LTBI regimens incorporating the antimicrobial class of rifamycins are designed to improve treatment completion rates. Recent evidence suggests that the rifamycins could induce irreversible gut microbiota changes that impact future anti-TB immunity. Methods : To document the immediate effect of the rifamycins on the gut microbiota, we followed six patients with LTBI initiating four months of monotherapy with rifampin (4R; n=4) or three months of rifapentine in combination with isoniazid (3HP; n=2) and tracked recovery to baseline two months posttreatment completion. We collected stool samples parallel to the LTBI group from healthy volunteers (N=6) unexposed to the rifamycins. We used a questionnaire to collect diet, antibiotics, and lifestyle changes during follow-up. We profiled the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V1-V2 region). Results : Rifamycin exposure resulted in a 4.24% decrease in alpha diversity, compared to a 3.27% decrease in the controls. While the change in alpha diversity was small and not statistically different from changes observed in controls, significant bacterial community dissimilarity correlated with treatment duration ( R 2 = 0.269, P=0.041 ) and dose ( R 2 =0.201, P = 0.001 ) were observed. This rifamycin-associated dysbiosis was characterized by a depletion of butyrate-producing taxa (Clostridium-XIVa and Roseburia) and expansion of potentially pathogenic taxa within the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla. Recovery of the gut microbial composition was incomplete two months after treatment ended. Conclusion : TB prophylaxis with the rifamycins induced minimal changes in the overall gut microbiota diversity but a significant shift in gut microbial composition. A larger clinical study with a longer follow-up time is necessary to confirm the extent to which the gut microbiota can recover from this rifamycin-induced dysbiosis to inform strategies to mitigate potential LTBI treatment sequelae.

The Gut–Brain Axis and Its Relation to Parkinson’s Disease: A Review

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · 2022 · 170 citations

• Neuroscience
• Medicine
• Psychology

and other related circuitry, which contribute to the development of both motor (bradykinesia, tremors, stiffness, abnormal gait) and non-motor symptoms (gastrointestinal issues, urinogenital complications, olfaction dysfunction, cognitive impairment). Despite tremendous progress in the field, the exact pathways and mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of this disease remain unclear. However, recent research suggests a potential relationship between the commensal gut bacteria and the brain capable of influencing neurodevelopment, brain function and health. This bidirectional communication is often referred to as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the onset of non-motor symptoms, such as gastrointestinal manifestations, often precede the onset of motor symptoms and disease diagnosis, lending support to the potential role that the microbiome-gut-brain axis might play in the underlying pathological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease. This review will provide an overview of and critically discuss the current knowledge of the relationship between the gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease. We will discuss the role of α-synuclein in non-motor disease pathology, proposed pathways constituting the connection between the gut microbiome and the brain, existing evidence related to pre- and probiotic interventions. Finally, we will highlight the potential opportunity for the development of novel preventative measures and therapeutic options that could target the microbiome-gut-brain axis in the context of Parkinson's disease.

High polyphenolic cranberry beverage alters specific fecal microbiota but not gut permeability following aspirin challenge in healthy obese adults: A randomized, double-blind, crossover trial

Journal of Functional Foods · 2022-11-10 · 15 citations

Polyphenol-rich cranberry extracts decrease intestinal inflammation, alter gut microbiota, and decrease intestinal permeability in obese mice, but the effect has not been investigated in adults who are obese. The purpose of this randomized double-blind, cross-over feeding study in obese (BMI = 37.4 ± 1.2 kg/m2) but otherwise healthy adults (n = 36) 35.4 ± 1.3 years was to determine the effects of consuming 480 mL of a high polyphenolic cranberry or control beverage daily for 2 weeks on gastrointestinal permeability, markers of inflammation and immune function, and gut microbiota. An acute aspirin challenge was administered prior to assessing intestinal permeability to determine resistance to barrier function compromise. The cranberry beverage did not affect markers of gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation, or immune function. However, fecal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Eggerthella lenta increased with consumption of the cranberry beverage. Data suggest that the intervention impacted bacterial communities. A longer intervention may be required to observe beneficial effects on inflammation and gastrointestinal barrier function.