DETECÇÃO DE MOLÉCULAS BIOMARCADORAS DA DOENÇA DE PARKINSON POR MEIO DE CROMATOGRAFIA GASOSA HIFENADA A ESPECTROMETRIA DE MASSAS

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by hypokinesia, rigidity, resting tremor and postural instability. These symptoms result from the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the mesencephalic substantia nigra compacta, leading to a dopaminergic deficiency. Early diagnosis of the disease is essential to enable therapeutic interventions that preserve the remaining neuronal function, slow down the progression of symptoms and promote a better quality of life. In this context, identifying PD biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis, monitoring progression and developing specific treatments. It also facilitates participation in clinical trials and drives the development of more effective treatments, promoting scientific advances in understanding and combating neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to identify PD biomarkers in volatile organic compounds present in human sebum and sweat, using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Two experimental groups were analyzed, consisting of 7 individuals in the PD group and 7 individuals without the disease in the control group. The chromatographic analysis used the headspace (HS) technique for sebum and sweat samples. The samples were incubated at 76 °C for 5 minutes with controlled stirring, and the HS collected (500 µL) was injected into the GC-MS for analysis. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Criteria were developed for the collection of samples of the sebum and sweat biofluids; (2) Gas chromatography analysis parameters were established; (3) Various substances were identified in the samples from both groups; (4) Substantial differences were observed in the composition of sebum and sweat between the control and PD groups, suggesting eicosanoic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, cis-10-heptadecenoic acid, erucic acid and 2,6-dihexadecanoate ascorbic acid as possible biomarkers. This study identified potential PD biomarkers in human sebum and sweat, contributing to advances in understanding the disease.