Journal of Functional Foods (Apr 2025)

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate alleviates colonic barrier dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease via epithelial cell modulation and microecology restoration

  • Yingying Chen,
  • Youyuan Zhuo,
  • Shuo Wan,
  • Yawen Li,
  • Shiguo Chen,
  • Guang Wang,
  • Nian Wu

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 127
p. 106753

Abstract

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Gastrointestinal disturbances frequently precede motor dysfunction and the hallmark pathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fCS-Ib), a polysaccharide derived from the sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus, has shown potential in preventing PD pathologies induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Building on this research, we found that fCS-Ib mitigated MPTP-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction. It reduced colonic inflammation by decreasing secretory immunoglobulin A and calprotectin levels, extending gastrointestinal transit time, decreasing intestinal permeability, and preventing colon shortening and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the MPTP group, fCS-Ib preserved goblet cell function and maintained epithelial tight junction integrity in the colon. Our findings suggest that fCS-Ib protected the colonic barrier by binding to colon epithelial cells, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibiting TLR4/β-Catenin signaling. Additionally, fCS-Ib modulated gut bacteria and metabolites, increasing Muribaculaceae and reducing Staphylococcaceae. These results indicate that fCS-Ib holds promise as a dietary intervention for PD treatment by alleviating gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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