Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics on Mitigation of Depression Symptoms: Modulation of the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis.

Agata Chudzik, Anna Orzyłowska, Radosław Rola, Greg J Stanisz

Journal: Biomolecules 2021;11(7):1000

PMID: 34356624

Plain Language Summary

The bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system has been termed the brain-gut-microbiome axis. Increased investigation of this pathway has found the gut bacteria to impact metabolism and the brain, suggesting that modulating the microbiome may elicit change in mental health. The aim of this review is to discuss the current findings in both animal and human studies regarding the use of pro-, pre- and post-biotics in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders. Studies show that modulating the bacteria in the gut may reduce inflammation, decrease stress hormone levels and adjust the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These changes consequently lead to the reduction of depressive symptoms and improvement in mood. While these results are promising, larger clinical trials are needed that include biochemical measurements and fecal microbiome analysis in addition to validated questionnaires. With this in mind, the authors conclude there is huge potential in the role of nutrition as a therapeutic target for neurological and mental health conditions.

Abstract

The brain-gut-microbiome axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. The growing interest in the gut microbiota and mechanisms of its interaction with the brain has contributed to the considerable attention given to the potential use of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders. This review discusses the up-to-date findings in preclinical and clinical trials regarding the use of pro-, pre- and postbiotics in depressive disorders. Studies in rodent models of depression show that some of them inhibit inflammation, decrease corticosterone level and change the level of neurometabolites, which consequently lead to mitigation of the symptoms of depression. Moreover, certain clinical studies have indicated improvement in mood as well as changes in biochemical parameters in patients suffering from depressive disorders.

Address: Department of Neurosurgery and Paediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.; Independent Laboratory of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Department of Oncological Gynaecology and Gynaecology, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.; Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.

DOI: 10.3390/biom11071000