Figure 1.

Dietary fiber approach to increase gut-produced butyrate and pathways that have potential benefits to Parkinson's Disease. Insoluble dietary fibers with specific chemical structures are fermented by butyrate producers in the gut (e.g., Clostridium Cluster XIVa and IV species). The butyrate produced during fermentation supports gut barrier function through the stimulation of mucus production and tight junction assemblies, and minimizing antigen translocation and inflammation. Butyrate also regulates inflammatory pathways through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in enterocytes and through inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) in macrophages. GPCR signaling in enteroendocrine cells (EEC) induce secretion of hormones (e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] and peptide YY[PYY]) that act in many organs, including the brain.