Institution: | 1. Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany;2. Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany;3. Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Institute of Systems Motor Science, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany |
Abstract: | Background Alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mitochondrial energy production is linked to glucose metabolism, and diabetes is associated with PD. However, studies investigating glucose metabolism in vivo in genetically stratified PD patients and controls have yet to be performed. Objectives The objectives of this study were to explore glucose production, gluconeogenesis, and the contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose production in idiopathic and PRKN PD compared with healthy controls with state-of-the-art biochemical methods. Methods We applied a dried-blood sampling/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry approach to monitor fluxes in the Cori cycle in vivo. Results The contribution of gluconeogenesis to total glucose production is increased in idiopathic PD patients (n = 33), but not in biallelic PRKN mutation carriers (n = 5) compared with healthy controls (n = 13). Conclusions We provide first-time in vivo evidence for alterations in glucose metabolism in idiopathic PD, in keeping with the epidemiological evidence for an association between PD and diabetes. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. |