The pilot study included seven adult participants with Parkinson's disease, who were administered 500 mg of tributyrin three times per day for a period of 30 days.
At the International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders World Congress, data presented indicated that tributyrin supplementation may have a beneficial effect on motor symptoms and inflammatory markers in Parkinson's disease.
Tributyrin is a white, almost oily liquid with an odorless, slightly fat aroma. It is freely soluble in ethanol, chloroform, and ether, and very difficult to dissolve in water (0.010%). Natural products exist in tallow.
In light of the emerging evidence indicating that gut-brain axis dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), Griggs and colleagues sought to investigate the potential impact of tributyrin supplementation (a triglyceride of butyric acid) on sleep patterns, motor symptoms, and inflammatory blood markers in individuals with PD.
The phase 1b pilot study included seven adult participants diagnosed with PD (mean age, 65.6 years) who underwent baseline motor and cognitive assessments, sleep tracking, and fasted blood laboratory tests. The participants were administered 500 mg of tributyrin three times per day for a period of 30 days. Following this, they were required to return for clinical and laboratory testing.
The researchers evaluated the primary outcomes, including the severity of motor symptoms as measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (UPDRS-III) total score, systemic inflammation via high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and the variability of nocturnal heart rate using the Oura ring.
Tributyrin has been demonstrated to be an effective adjunctive therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease, in conjunction with their standard of care. Its administration has been shown to exert a beneficial influence on motor symptoms, enhance the profile of inflammatory blood markers, and improve nocturnal heart rate variability.
The following inflammatory markers are included: total white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, calcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurement, and platelet count.
Tributyrin exerts its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by modulating the expression of anti-inflammatory factors and regulatory T cells (Tregs), while also enhancing antioxidant capacity. Glyceryl tributyrate has been demonstrated to enhance immune function in animal organisms via a number of different pathways. It boosts animal immunity by boosting the immune system, increasing the number of Tregs, reducing inflammation, and increasing antioxidants.