Intestinal histomorphological and molecular alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease

Background and purpose: Changes in gut microbiota composition, enteric inflammation, impairments of the intestinal epithelial barrier and neuroplastic changes in the enteric nervous system have been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and could contribute to the onset of both neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, their mutual interplay has rarely been investigated. This study evaluated, in an integrated manner, changes in faecal microbiota composition, morphofunctional alterations of colonic mucosal barrier and changes of inflammatory markers in blood and stools of PD patients. Methods: Nineteen PD patients and nineteen asymptomatic subjects were enrolled. Blood lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP, marker of altered intestinal permeability) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, as well as stool IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels, were evaluated. Gut microbiota analysis was performed. Epithelial mucins, collagen fibres, claudin-1 and S100-positive glial cells as markers of an impairment of the intestinal barrier, mucosal remodelling and enteric glial activation were evaluated on colonic mucosal specimens collected during colonoscopy. Results: Faecal microbiota analysis revealed a significant difference in the α-diversity in PD patients compared to controls, while no differences were found in the β-diversity. Compared to controls, PD patients showed significant chenags in plasma LBP levels, as well as faecal TNF and IL-1β levels. The histological analysis showed a decrease in epithelial neutral mucins and claudin-1 expression and an increased expression of acidic mucins, collagen fibres and S100-positive glial cells. Conclusions: Parkinson's disease patients are characterized by enteric inflammation and increased intestinal epithelial barrier permeability, as well as colonic mucosal barrier remodelling, associated with changes in gut microbiota composition.