Increased iron intake can reduce Parkinson’s risk: Meta-analysis

Increasing iron intake by 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood can reduce the likelihood of developing Parkinsons disease by 3%, Italian researchers have concluded after performing an extensive literature review.

Irene Pichler and her team from the multi-institution research group, EURAC, assessed studies involving more than 130,000 people in Europe, North America and Australia in coming to their conclusions.

[Our]study suggests a causal association between increased serum iron levels and decreased risk of developing Parkinsons disease, suggesting that disrupted iron metabolism may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinsons disease, they wrote.

They said the mechanism of action remained unclear, calling on more research into that area, before any specific treatment recommendations can be proposed.

But, The effect of dietary iron or drugs capable of altering the balance between serum iron and iron storage compartments, might prove to be suitable to test in experimental models.

The development of such disease models is therefore necessary before any public health or clinical recommendation can be made for primary prevention in subjects at high risk of developing Parkinsons disease.

Method

The researchers assessed the possible link between blood iron levels and the risk of developing Parkinsons disease by using three polymorphisms in two genes, HFE and TMPRSS6.

In arriving at their conclusions, a meta-analysis was performed for each polymorphism including 22,000 people from Europe and Australia, as well as a meta-analysis of studies investigating the genetic effect on the risk of Parkinsons disease with 20,809 people and 88,892 people in control groups.

On the uncertainty of the mechanism of action the researchers speculated that, Low peripheral iron levels may reduce the functioning of neuronal enzymes or receptors, since iron is a crucial cofactor of tyrosine hydroxylase, which plays a role in the synthesis of monoamine neurotransmitters, and is involved in dopaminergic neurodevelopment.

Originally posted here:
Increased iron intake can reduce Parkinson’s risk: Meta-analysis