Objective: To evaluate whether probiotic Y7 intervention improves disease-related outcomes and influences L-DOPA-related responses in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background: Parkinson’s disease is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder involving dopaminergic neurodegeneration together with gastrointestinal dysfunction, intestinal barrier impairment, and inflammation. Gut-directed interventions such as probiotics may offer adjunctive benefit, and may also influence treatment-related responses, but additional preclinical evidence is needed.
Method: Male Sprague–Dawley rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions were treated with or without probiotic Y7. Behavioral performance, dopaminergic neuronal integrity, circulating biochemical markers, inflammation and oxidative stress indices, gut barrier gene expression, and gut microbiota profiles were evaluated. In L-DOPA–treated animals, L-DOPA–related circulating profiles were also assessed.
Results: Relative to untreated PD animals, probiotic Y7 intervention was associated with improved behavioral performance, preservation of dopaminergic neuronal markers, attenuation of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related abnormalities, and favorable changes in gut barrier-related gene expression. Y7-treated animals also showed gut microbial compositional shifts consistent with modulation of the intestinal environment. In the L-DOPA treatment setting, Y7 intervention was associated with higher circulating L-DOPA-related profiles, suggesting a potential role in improving systemic availability and treatment stability.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that probiotic Y7 may modulate gut-related and neurobehavioral abnormalities in experimental Parkinson’s disease. The association with L-DOPA–related profiles further indicates that probiotic intervention may help optimize treatment responses and warrants further investigation as an adjunct strategy in PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
HY. Huang, TH. Yeh, SP. Tsao, DY. Wang, TJ. Chen. Probiotic Y7 Intervention Is Associated with Improved Motor, Gut-Related, and L-DOPA-Related Outcomes in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/probiotic-y7-intervention-is-associated-with-improved-motor-gut-related-and-l-dopa-related-outcomes-in-a-rat-model-of-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/probiotic-y7-intervention-is-associated-with-improved-motor-gut-related-and-l-dopa-related-outcomes-in-a-rat-model-of-parkinsons-disease/