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Oral Trehalose Intake Modulates the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Is Neuroprotective in a Synucleinopathy Mouse
Solène Pradeloux1,2, Katherine Coulombe1,2, Alexandre Jules Kennang Ouamba1,3
1Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Nutrients
|October 16, 2024
Summary
Trehalose shows neuroprotective effects in a Parkinson's disease mouse model by modulating gut microbiota and increasing GLP-1. These findings suggest trehalose may be a potential therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease (PD).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder impacting dopaminergic neurons in the brain and gut.
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis is increasingly recognized as a factor in PD pathogenesis.
- Trehalose, a sugar poorly absorbed by the intestine, was investigated for its potential gut-mediated neuroprotective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of trehalose in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
- To determine if trehalose modulates gut microbiota composition and function.
- To assess the impact of trehalose on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transgenic mouse model (PrP-A53T G2-3) overexpressing human alpha-synuclein.
- Administered trehalose, maltose, or sucrose (2% w/v) in drinking water for 6.5 months.
- Assessed tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, gut microbiota diversity, and GLP-1 levels.
Main Results:
- Trehalose prevented the reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, striatum, and gut of PD mice.
- Trehalose modulated gut microbiota, preserving diversity and promoting beneficial bacteria.
- Trehalose treatment increased intestinal GLP-1 secretion by 29%.
Conclusions:
- Trehalose exerts neuroprotective effects in a Parkinson's disease model, likely mediated indirectly through gut microbiota modulation and increased GLP-1 secretion.
- Unlike glucose-yielding sugars (maltose, sucrose), trehalose demonstrated efficacy, suggesting its effects are independent of glucose.
- Trehalose represents a potential therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease targeting the gut-brain axis.
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