Breath Hydrogen Levels Lower in Parkinson's Disease Patients
- Authors
- Sonja Baltic, Nikola Todorovic, Sanela Popovic, Vladimir Galic, Marija Semnic, Sergej M. Ostojic
- Journal
- Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.107353
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Serbia
- Health Condition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
This study investigates whether people with Parkinson's disease have lower levels of hydrogen gas, produced by gut bacteria, which might be linked to the severity of their condition.
Key Finding
The study investigates whether Parkinson's disease patients have reduced breath hydrogen levels that correlate with disease severity, exploring hydrogen gas as a potential neuroprotective factor in the gut-brain connection.
Summary
This pilot study measured hydrogen levels in the breath of Parkinson's disease patients to explore whether reduced hydrogen production by gut bacteria might be connected to the disease. Hydrogen gas is produced naturally by intestinal bacteria and may protect brain cells from damage, so researchers wanted to see if Parkinson's patients have lower hydrogen levels and whether this relates to how severe their symptoms are.
Practical Takeaway
This is a preliminary pilot study with results not yet available, so no conclusions can be drawn about hydrogen and Parkinson's disease at this time. The research addresses an understudied area and may eventually help clarify whether hydrogen deficiency plays a role in the disease, but much more evidence would be needed before any practical recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Over 10 million individuals worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease (PD), a serious neurodegenerative condition with an unclear etiology. It is widely accepted that PD arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, leading to the gradual degeneration of both motor and non-motor systems. Various microbial metabolites and products have been implicated in PD pathology, alongside disruptions to the microbiota–gut–brain axis that are characteristic of the disease. However, the specific gut-derived factors involved in the pathophysiological cascade of PD remain elusive. Hydrogen gas, a recognized component of intestinal microbiota metabolism, has emerged as a potential mediator in the microbiota–gut–brain crosstalk and may represent a missing piece in the PD pathophysiology puzzle [1]. Hydrogen has been shown to selectively neutralize toxic hydroxyl radicals, downregulate proinflammatory factor expression, and preserve cerebrovascular reactivity—key mechanisms implicated in neurodegenerative processes [2]. A deficiency in this neuroprotective gas could negatively impact target tissues, including dopaminergic neurons in PD. Preliminary evidence suggests a reduction in hydrogen-releasing gut bacteria in PD patients [3], but whether this translates to lower hydrogen production or correlates with disease severity remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate breath hydrogen concentrations in patients with mild-to-moderate PD, and determine the association between hydrogen and the severity of the disease.