The effect of supplementation with prebiotic fiber on the gut microbiota of a group of older people with Parkinson's disease from the city of Santiago de Chile. A pilot study

Abstract Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. It has been demonstrated that there is a correlation between the increase in bacterial abundance and the severity of certain symptoms associated with PD. Aim: the aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with prebiotic fiber on the gut microbiota (GM) and nutritional status of elderly volunteers with Parkinson's disease. Methodology: this is a pilot study of pre and post intervention with prebiotic fiber. All subjects involved were volunteers with PD, who were given nutritional counseling and gut microbiota measured on time cero and after 30 days of prebiotic fiber intervention. Results: a statistically significant difference was found in calf circumference (p 0.0422) after the intervention with prebiotic fiber. GM analyses show an initial difference in gut bacterial abundance of older people with PD and people without PD. Furthermore, our results showed a difference in bacterial families and genera after the supplementation with prebiotic fiber. in addition, we found a statistically significant difference in the value of circumference calf and a trend in the improvement of body weight, Body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, arm circumference, brachial area, and Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for older adults. Conclusion: supplementation with 20 g of prebiotic fiber for 30 days could modify the intestinal microbiota, reducing bacterial genera and phylum that are abundant in Parkinson's disease, such as Verrucomicrobia. Therefore, the use of prebiotic fiber could represent an alternative to improve intestinal health and nutritional status of people with Parkinson's disease.