Plasma Short-Chain Fatty Acids Differences in Multiple System Atrophy from Parkinson's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Metabolomics
• Gut microbiome research

Background:

• Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD) share overlapping symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
• Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by gut microbiota, are reduced in MSA patient feces.
• Plasma SCFA levels in MSA patients remain largely uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasma SCFA concentrations in MSA patients.
• To assess the potential of plasma SCFAs as differential diagnostic biomarkers for MSA.

Main Methods:

• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to measure plasma SCFA concentrations.
• Study included 25 MSA patients, 46 healthy controls, and 46 PD patients.
• Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• MSA patients exhibited lower plasma acetic acid concentrations compared to healthy controls.
• Both MSA and MSA with parkinsonism (MSA-P) patients showed reduced acetic acid and propionic acid levels versus PD patients.
• Combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations effectively differentiated MSA from PD (AUC=0.82) and MSA-P from PD (AUC=0.89).

Conclusions:

• Plasma SCFA levels are decreased in individuals with MSA.
• Combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations show promise as potential biomarkers for distinguishing MSA from PD.