Effects of a Four‐Strain Probiotic on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
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, Alan Bonder, Guy Chung‐Faye, Cristian Falup‐Pecurariu, Simon Gaisford, Edoardo Moretto, Gwénaëlle Le Gall, David Vauzour, Ana Rodriguez‐Mateos, Anna Sauerbier, Carmen Rodríguez‐Blázquez, Jonas Ghyselinck, Benoît Marsaux, Carmine M. Pariante, Alessandra Borsini, Per Odin, К. Ray Chaudhuri
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.