Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory factors in the elderly patients with Parkinson's disease(PD). Methods The 16S rDNA gene real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method was used to detect the levels of F. prausnitzii, E. rectale, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillis in the feces of PD patients and control group. Gas chromatography was used to detect the levels of short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) in the intestinal feces and ELISA method was used to detect serum levels of tumor nerosis factor (TNF-α), interloukin-6(IL-6) and IL-10 of the two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of E. rectal, F. prausnitzii, Lactobacillis, propionic acid and butyric acid in the PD group were significantly decreased (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the PD group were significantly increased (P<0. 05). The total score of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale was negatively correlated with the levels of E. rectal, F. prausnitzii propionic acid and butyric acid in intestines (P<0. 05), and positively correlated with the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0. 05). Conclusions In elderly patients with PD, the level of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria in the intestines is reduced. Short-chain fatty acids may induce inflammation in the body and aggravate the occurrence and development of PD, but the mechanism needs further study.

Key words: Parkinson's disease, intestinal flora, short chain fatty acids, inflammatory factor