Parkinson Disease
Conditions
Keywords
Lipoproteins, Lipopolysaccharide, Lipopolysaccharide binding protein, Inflammation
Brief summary
Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) present an impaired intestinal permeability with consequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation in the systemic circulation. Plasmatic lipoproteins play a key role in the detoxification of LPS. The investigators aim to study the relationships between lipoprotein chemical composition and plasma LPS circulation in PD.
Detailed description
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides are able to produce neuroinflammation and dopaminergic receptors degeneration. In addition, they may produce an accumulation of α-synuclein in the area of the substantia Nigra. Recent studies have shown that α-synuclein aggregates may be present also in gastrointestinal neurons of patients with PD. This last finding led to the hypothesis that the intestine might be an early site of PD disease in response to an environmental toxin or pathogen. Forsyth et al. have discovered an impaired intestinal permeability in subjects with recently diagnosed PD, and they found positive correlations between this factor, exposure to LPS and alpha-synuclein accumulation in gastrointestinal neurons. Plasma lipoproteins play a key role in the detoxification of bacterial endotoxins. Lipoprotein chemical composition is related to their detoxing properties. To the best of investigator knowledge, the relationships between lipoprotein chemical composition and LPS in PD have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aims of this study are: I) to evaluate the chemical composition of VLDL, LDL and HDL in subjects with PD compared to a control group; 2) to analyze the activity of plasma lipid transfer proteins and LPS plasma levels in the same groups of subjects; III) finally, to investigate the correlations between the analyzed parameters. Subjects and method Twenty patients with PD and twenty healthy controls were recruited for the study. Fasting blood samples were taken for routine laboratory analysis and for the separation of EDTA plasma. Plasma samples stored at -80°C until were used for lipoprotein isolation and analysis and for the measurement of lipid transfer protein and LPS levels.
Interventions
OTHERPatients not treated
Sponsors
Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento di Milano
University of Milan
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Parkinson's patients Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Parkinson disease in agreement with UK Brain Bank * Farmacological treatment with L-Dopa and/or dopaminergic agonist or diagnosis de novo * BMI 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m\^2 * Informed consent signature
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus * Presence of major chronic diseases of the digestive tract. * Pregnancy in progress * Subjects subjected to antihypertensive therapies or statins or with drugs that can change metabolic status and insulin sensitivity (e.g. chronic oral steroid therapy) * Subjects affected by endocrine pathologies (e.g. Cushing disease, uncontrolled thyroid disease) * Presence of known renal insufficiency or creatinine levels greater than 1.8 mg/dl * Presence of chronic liver disease or ALT and AST levels exceeding two standard deviations from normal levels * Presence of malignant disease * Alcohol or drug abuse * Major psychiatric disorders * Subjects dedicated to intense and agonistic physical activity. Control group Inclusion criteria * Absence of major disease * BMI 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m\^2 * Informed consent signature
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LPS | through study completion an average of 1 year | LPS plasma levels (EU/L) |
| Lipoprotein chemical composition | through study completion an average of 1 year | Cholesterol (mg/dL); HDL-cholesterol (mg/dL); triglycerides (mg/dL); phospholipids (mg/dL), apoproteins (mg/dL) of VLDL, LDL and HDL |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma lipid transfer proteins | through study completion an average of 1 year | Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (ng/mL), cholesterol ester transfer protein (ng/mL), phospholipid transfer protein (ng/mL) |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed