Co-administration of probiotics and vitamin D reduced disease severity and complications in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

RATIONALE: Probiotics have beneficial effects on the nervous system by modulating the gut-brain axis. Additionally, vitamin D supplementation presents a potential way for ameliorating neuropsychological disorders, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. OBJECTIVES: The current clinical trial aimed to investigate the role of co-administered supplementation of probiotics and Vitamin D on the different inflammatory aspects of patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Forty-six patients with PD were recruited From the Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Tehran, Iran. These patients were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment groups: Group A, who received probiotic/vitamin D supplements (n = 23), and Group B who received placebo capsules (n = 23) for 12 weeks. As primary outcomes, Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the trial. Moreover, Additional questionnaire-based factors including gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that the consumption of probiotic/vitamin D supplements leads to a significant decrease in IL-1ß, INF-γ, IL-6, and MDA levels, while showing a significant increase in IL-10 and TAC levels compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Additionally, it leads to a significant decrease in the disease severity, anxiety, and gastrointestinal problems in PD patients in comparison to the placebo group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Given the acknowledged role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease on one hand, and the recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects associated with probiotics and vitamin D on the other hand, the concurrent administration of probiotics and vitamin D supplements emerges as a promising and potentially effective treatment option for individuals with PD.

Extrusion and Co-extrusion: A Technology in Probiotic Encapsulation with Alternative Materials.

Encapsulation, in particular extrusion and co-extrusion, is a common practice to protect probiotics from the harsh conditions of the digestive tract as well as processing. Hydrocolloids, including proteins and carbohydrates, natural or modified, are a group of ingredients used as the wall material in extrusion. Hydrocolloids, due to their specific properties, can significantly improve the probiotic survivability of the final powder during the microencapsulation process and storage. The present article will discuss the different kinds of hydrocolloids used for microencapsulation of probiotics by extrusion and co-extrusion, along with new sources of novel gums and their potential as wall material.