It may seem surprising, but smoking, despite its many health risks, has been linked to a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Until recently, the reason behind this paradox was unclear.
However, new research suggests that low doses of carbon monoxide, a component of cigarette smoke, might offer some protection against the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease.
This research, conducted by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and published in npj Parkinson’s Disease, provides new insights into how carbon monoxide might play a role in reducing the risk of Parkinson’s.
The study was led by Dr. Stephen Gomperts, an attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Gomperts and his team were intrigued by the consistent observation that smokers tend to have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
They speculated that certain elements in cigarette smoke might be responsible for this neuroprotective effect.
One such element is carbon monoxide, which, despite its reputation as a harmful gas, can have protective properties at very low levels. The body itself even produces small amounts of carbon monoxide in response to stress, which can help protect nerve cells.
In their study, the researchers exposed rodent models of Parkinson’s disease to low doses of carbon monoxide, similar to the levels smokers would experience.
They found that this exposure protected the rodents from typical features of Parkinson’s, such as the loss of dopamine-producing neurons and the buildup of a harmful protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain.
The study showed that low-dose carbon monoxide activated specific pathways in the brain that reduce oxidative stress and help break down alpha-synuclein, a protein closely linked to Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers also found that levels of an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1, which produces carbon monoxide naturally in the body, were higher in the cerebrospinal fluid of smokers compared to non-smokers.
In brain tissue from Parkinson’s patients, higher levels of heme oxygenase-1 were found in neurons that were free of alpha-synuclein buildup.
These findings suggest that low-dose carbon monoxide could help slow the onset of Parkinson’s and limit its progression.
Dr. Gomperts believes this research supports further investigation into how low-dose carbon monoxide and the pathways it activates could be used to slow down Parkinson’s disease.
Building on previous clinical studies showing that low doses of carbon monoxide are safe, the research team is planning a clinical trial to test the effects of orally administered low-dose carbon monoxide in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
This trial could open up new possibilities for treating a disease that currently has no cure.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how wheat gluten might be influencing our brain health, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital.
