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Gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with elevated toxic bile acids in Parkinson's disease
bioRxiv (2020)
  • Peipei Li, Van Andel Institute
  • Bryan A. Killinger, Rush Medical College
  • Bryan A. Killinger, Van Andel Institute
  • Ian Beddows, Van Andel Institute
  • Elizabeth Ensink, Van Andel Institute
  • Ali Yilmaz, Beaumont Health
  • Ali Yilmaz, Beaumont Health
  • Noah Lubben, Van Andel Institute
  • Jared Lamp, Michigan State University
  • Meghan Schilthuis, Van Andel Institute
  • Irving E. Vega, Michigan State University
  • Markus Britschgi, Hoffmann-La Roche
  • J. Andrew Pospisilik, Van Andel Institute
  • Patrik Brundin, Michigan State University
  • Patrik Brundin, Van Andel Institute
  • Lena Brundin, Michigan State University
  • Lena Brundin, Van Andel Institute
  • Stewart Graham, Beaumont Health
  • Viviane Labrie, Michigan State University
  • Viviane Labrie, Van Andel Institute
Abstract
The gut microbiome can impact brain health and is altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Here, we investigate changes in the functional microbiome in the appendix of PD patients relative to controls by metatranscriptomic analysis. We find microbial dysbiosis affecting lipid metabolism, particularly an upregulation of bacteria responsible for secondary bile acid synthesis. Proteomic and transcript analysis corroborates a disruption in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid catabolism. Bile acid analysis reveals an increase in microbially-derived, toxic secondary bile acids. Synucleinopathy in mice induces similar microbiome alterations to those of PD patients. The mouse model of synucleinopathy has elevated DCA and LCA. An analysis of blood markers shows evidence of biliary abnormalities early in PD, including elevated alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Increased bilirubin levels are also evident before PD diagnosis. In sum, microbially-derived toxic bile acids are heightened in PD and biliary changes may even precede the onset of overt motor symptoms. 
Publication Date
September 28, 2020
DOI
10.1101/2020.09.26.279851
Citation Information
Li P, Killinger BA, Ensink E, Beddows I, Yilmaz A, Lubben N, Lamp J, Schilthuis M, Vega IE, Woltjer R, Pospisilik JA, Brundin P, Brundin L, Graham SF, Labrie V. Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Is Associated with Elevated Bile Acids in Parkinson's Disease. Metabolites. 2021 Jan 4;11(1):29. doi: 10.3390/metabo11010029. PMID: 33406628; PMCID: PMC7823437.