Evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation in Parkinson's disease patients with constipation

• Published in: Microbial cell factories Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 98 - 9
• Main Authors: Kuai, Xiao-yi, Yao, Xiao-han, Xu, Li-juan, Zhou, Yu-qing, Zhang, Li-ping, Liu, Yi, Pei, Shao-fang, Zhou, Chun-li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 13.05.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: 16s rDNA sequencing; Abdomen; Abundance; Biochemistry; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Constipation; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Digestive system; DNA; DNA sequencing; Dysbacteriosis; Fecal microflora; Feces; FMT; Gastrointestinal diseases; Gastrointestinal tract; Gene sequencing; Gut microbiota; Health aspects; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Laboratories; Lactulose; Metabolism; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microorganisms; Movement disorders; Neurodegenerative diseases; Pain; Parkinson's disease; Patient outcomes; Patients; Questionnaires; Signs and symptoms; Small intestine; Transplantation; China; Japan; Gut microbiota; FMT; 16s rDNA sequencing; Constipation; Parkinson’s disease
• ISSN: 1475-2859; 1475-2859
• DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01589-0

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and 70–80% of PD patients suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction such as constipation. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating PD related to gastrointestinal dysfunction. We conducted a prospective, single- study. Eleven patients with PD received FMT. Fecal samples were collected before and after FMT and subjected to 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequencing. Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) grade, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score, and the Non-Motion Symptom Questionnaire (NMSS) were used to assess improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms. PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score were used to assess the patient's constipation symptoms. All patients were tested by the small intestine breath hydrogen test, performed before and after FMT. Community richness (chao) and microbial structure in before-FMT PD patients were significantly different from the after-FMT. We observed an increased abundance of Blautia and Prevotella in PD patients after FMT, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased dramatically. After FMT, the H-Y grade, UPDRS, and NMSS of PD patients decreased significantly. Through the lactulose H2 breath test, the intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in PD patients returned to normal. The PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score in after-FMT patients decreased significantly. Our study profiles specific characteristics and microbial dysbiosis in the gut of PD patients. FMT might be a therapeutic potential for reconstructing the gut microbiota of PD patients and improving their motor and non-motor symptoms.