Short-Chain Fatty Acids as a Therapeutic Strategy in Parkinson's Disease: Implications for Neurodegeneration

Neurodegeneration involves the progressive deterioration of neuronal structure and function, leading to deficits in cognition, motor skills, and other neurological processes. Parkinson's disease (PD) is notably prevalent among neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration, protein misfolding, and an inflammatory brain environment. Despite advancements in understanding its pathophysiology, PD and other neurodegenerative conditions still lack effective disease-modifying therapies. This shortfall highlights the need for novel, multifactorial approaches to treatment. Recent research has spotlighted the gut-brain axis as a significant player in neurological health, particularly through the activity of gut-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These microbial metabolites, primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are produced via the fermentation of dietary fibers and are vital for maintaining intestinal and neural homeostasis. SCFAs exert anti-inflammatory effects, preserve blood-brain barrier integrity, and modulate neurotransmitter systems. Among them, butyrate shows notable neuroprotective capabilities, including histone deacetylase inhibition and mitochondrial enhancement. Disruption in SCFA production has been associated with PD progression, further underscoring their relevance. This review explores the mechanistic roles of SCFAs in modulating neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on PD. SCFA-based strategies offer a promising adjunctive route to restoring microbial balance, mitigating neuroinflammation, and safeguarding neurological function in neurodegenerative disorders.