Inadequate Production of H2 by Gut Microbiota and Parkinson Disease

Dysbiosis of the gut flora accompanies Parkinson disease (PD), yet no specific cause-effect link has been identified so far. The gut microbiota produce molecular hydrogen (H-2), a ubiquitous molecule recently recognized as a biologically active gas with antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and signaling properties. Here, we discuss an idea that an impaired production of endogenous H-2 by intestinal microbiota might play a role in PD pathogenesis, with supplemental H-2 debated as a possible therapy for this progressive neurodegenerative disease.