Breath hydrogen levels in patients with Parkinson's disease: A pilot cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Over 10 million individuals worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease (PD), a serious neurodegenerative condition with an unclear etiology. It is widely accepted that PD arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, leading to the gradual degeneration of both motor and non-motor systems. Various microbial metabolites and products have been implicated in PD pathology, alongside disruptions to the microbiota–gut–brain axis that are characteristic of the disease. However, the specific gut-derived factors involved in the pathophysiological cascade of PD remain elusive. Hydrogen gas, a recognized component of intestinal microbiota metabolism, has emerged as a potential mediator in the microbiota–gut–brain crosstalk and may represent a missing piece in the PD pathophysiology puzzle. Hydrogen has been shown to selectively neutralize toxic hydroxyl radicals, downregulate proinflammatory factor expression, and preserve cerebrovascular reactivity—key mechanisms implicated in neurodegenerative processes. A deficiency in this neuroprotective gas could negatively impact target tissues, including dopaminergic neurons in PD. Preliminary evidence suggests a reduction in hydrogen-releasing gut bacteria in PD patients, but whether this translates to lower hydrogen production or correlates with disease severity remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate breath hydrogen concentrations in patients with mild-to-moderate PD, and determine the association between hydrogen and the severity of the disease.

Study details

Article type

Letter