GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTIONS AND PERIPHERAL INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN PARKINSON’S DISEASES

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by α-synucleinopathy, which involves all districts of the brain-gut axis, including the central, autonomic and enteric nervous systems. Previous findings suggest that the intestinal microbiome is altered in PD and is related to motor phenotype. However how dysbiosis arises and whether this feature contributes to PD pathogenesis remains unknown. The aim was to evaluate gut microbiome and the serum cytokine profile in PD. We quantified serum interleukin (IL) levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ) in 55 PD patients. Study of the fecal samples was performed by real time PCR method and bacteriologically. Discovered the relationship between the intensity of dysbiosis and the level of proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ, IL-6.We show that disturbances in plasma cytokine level could be more profound in PD patients with altered composition of intestinal microbiota, which may explain the mechanism of influence of microbiota composition on the PD manifestations.

Hematopoietic Effect of Fractions from the Enzyme-Digested colla corii asini on Mice with 5-Fluorouracil Induced Anemia

Effects of fractions A and B from enzyme-digested traditional Chinese medicine colla corii asini on mice with 5-fluorouracil-induced anemia were investigated. The purpose of this study was to further understand the hematopoietic activities and mechanisms of colla corii asini. The fractions A and B were administered to anemic mice for 12 days. After confirming the anti-anemic effect of fractions A and B, we examined the effects of fractions A and B on immature granulocyte and erythroid cell activity and plasma cytokine level. Fraction A administration at 2 g/kg and 1 g/kg and fraction B administration at 1.6 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg activated granulocyte and erythrocyte progenitor cells in bone marrow and erythrocyte progenitors in spleen, led to the recovery of white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and increased the percentage of peripheral reticulocytes in red cells. The GM-CSF and EPO production determined by examining GM-CSF mRNA and EPO mRNA in the kidney and liver of the anemic mice were also enhanced. This treatment significantly increased serum GM-CSF and EPO level and lowered serum transforming growth factor ( TGF -β) level. These results suggested that fractions A and B promoted hematopoiesis by activating immature granulocyte and erythroid cells, partly by stimulating GM-CSF and EPO secretion and suppressing TGF -β release. Identification of a specific peptide or protein is still required for the development of a novel medicine for anemia caused by malignancy or chemotherapy.