Tributyrin linked to improved motor symptoms, inflammatory markers in Parkinson’s

Key takeaways:

• Pilot study included seven adults with Parkinson’s, who were given 500 mg tributyrin three times per day for 30 days.
• Motor symptoms, inflammatory markers and nocturnal heart rate improved from baseline.

CHICAGO — Tributyrin supplementation may have a beneficial effect on motor symptoms and inflammatory markers in Parkinson’s disease, according to data at the International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders World Congress.

“We investigated whether taking a tributyrin supplement, which is a postbiotic, would benefit people with Parkinson’s both clinically and on biomarkers,” Alexis Griggs, BA, a research lab specialist in radiology and neurology at Michigan Medicine, told Healio.

With emerging evidence suggesting that gut-brain axis dysfunction plays a role in PD pathophysiology, Griggs and colleagues sought to examine the effect of tributyrin supplementation — a triglyceride of butyric acid — on sleep, motor symptoms and inflammatory blood markers in people with PD.

Their phase 1b pilot study included seven adults diagnosed with PD (mean age, 65.6 years) who underwent baseline motor and cognitive assessments, sleep tracking and fasted blood labs. Participants were given 500 mg tributyrin three times per day for 30 days, after which all returned for clinical and lab testing.

Researchers assessed primary outcomes of severity of motor symptoms by Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-III (UPDRS-III) total score, systemic inflammation via high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and variability of nocturnal heart rate using the Oura ring.

According to preliminary results, tributyrin supplementation was associated with a 3.93-point reduction in UPDRS-III score from the baseline average of 44.71 (95% CI, 36.11-53.31), with improved scores in roughly 50% of participants after 30 days.

Researchers also reported a decrease (–0.28 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.65-0.09) from baseline average (1.12 mg/dL) in hs-CRP, although the effect was not statistically significant. Data additionally showed that 30 days of supplementation improved nocturnal heart rate variability.

Noting a small sample size in the study, researchers suggest a phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial may be warranted.

“Tributyrin can be used as a supplementation (for) people with Parkinson’s disease as well as their normal care, and it can positively impact motor symptoms, improve inflammatory blood markers and improve nocturnal heart rate variability,” Griggs said.