Did you know that Michael J. Fox (Family Ties & Back to The Future Actor), Muhammad Ali (Champion Boxer) and Ozzy Osbourne (Singer), are a few of the well- known figures that have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease?
Hello Health Advocates,
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which leads to various neurological and mobility-related symptoms. It’s estimated that approximately four people per 1,000 in Australia have Parkinson’s disease, with the incidence increasing to one in 100 over the age of 60.
Disruption of mitochondrial function is a key hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease (reviewed in Lehmann and Martins, 2013). Cells such as neurons have several QC (Quality control) systems in place, which act at the molecular, organellar and cellular levels to respond to mitochondrial defects (reviewed in de Castro et al., 2010).
Defects in Pink1 and its downstream effectors, Parkin or Fbxo7, compromise mitophagy, a mechanism of organellar QC. Loss-of-function mutations in any of these three genes cause familial PD and result in the accumulation of defective mitochondria, leading to cellular toxicity, partly through the generation of toxic ROS.
Pink1 is the key initiator of mitophagy, and its impairment affects mitochondrial bioenergetics and alters the redox state of the complex I substrate NAD+. They have demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of NAM, a form of vitamin B3, and of the genetic suppression of Parp, an NAD+- consuming enzyme, in pink1. Other studies using animal models have also shown that vitamin-based dietary interventions suppress mitochondrial dysfunction and block neurodegeneration in vivo (Lehmann et al., 2016; Tufi et al., 2014; Vos et al., 2012). In addition, a high level of dietary niacin, another form of vitamin B3, has also been reported to confer a reduced risk of developing PD (Fall et al., 1999; Hellenbrand et al., 1996).
Altogether, these studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of a vitamin-enriched diet in a genetic animal model of PD associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, based on the available body of evidence, we reason that although vitamin interventions might delay or prevent neurodegeneration in diseases associated with mitochondrial defects, such as PD, they cannot be considered potential ‘cures’ because they cannot reverse the loss of specific populations of neurons that are absent at the time of diagnosis.
The earlier a patient adopts a number of lifestyle changes and introduces relative supplements into their diets, the greater the positive effects will be on managing inflammation and reducing the complications of the autoimmune disease. It is recommended that the patient:
Other supplementary recommendations to improve quality of life for a patient suffering PD are:
The earlier the patient adopts these recommendations, the more powerful the effects will be on reducing the side effects of PD and improve their daily life.
If you are wanting to know more on any of our products or services, please contact us at [email protected] OR call us on (07) 3862 6000.
Thanks, Lou
Mary-louise Condon
Senior Compounding Pharmacist
BPharm ABAAHP
45 Crosby Road, Albion. Q. 4010.
P: 07 3862 6000 F: 07 32560801 M: 0419766182
E: [email protected]
W: www.compoundinglab.com.au
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a medical doctor or other qualified health provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have have read on this site. All compounded medicine that are scheduled require a doctor’s prescription.
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