Probiotics alleviate depressive behavior in chronic unpredictable mild stress rat models by remodeling intestinal flora

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of probiotics on depressive behavior in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model by remodeling intestinal flora.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups: control group, depression group (CUMS), depression+paroxetine group (Paro) and depression+probiotics group (Pro). Sucrose preference, open field and forced swimming tests were used to assess depression-like behavior in rats. ELISA was used to detect the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat serum. Real-time PCR was used to determine the changes of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli in rat cecum. ResultsCompared with the control group, CUMS led to significant decreases of body weight, total traveled distance, duration in central area, immobility time, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine contents in hippocampal tissues, as well as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the cecum. It also resulted in marked increases of the contents of E. faecalis and E. coli in the cecum, ACTH and corticosterone contents in the serum of rats. Paroxetine and probiotic treatment each diminished or prevented these changes. ConclusionBy remodeling intestinal flora, probiotics can reduce the CUMS-induced depressive behavior of rats, increase the levels of norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and inhibit the expression of ACTH and corticosterone. Significantly, the effect of both paroxetine and probiotic on microorganisms is similar.

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“… 176 In the treatment of depression, probiotics reduced chronic unpredictable mild stress‐induced depressive behavior of rats and increased the levels of norepinephrine and 5‐HT and inhibited the expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone. 177 Consistent with this finding, in a clinical depression treatment trial, the symptoms of all clinical trial participants were improved with a significant correlation between Ruminococcus gnavus and depression. 178 Thus, the current findings could consider probiotic development as an adjunct to existing treatments.…”

“…Probiotics reduced the production of inflammatory factors and induced changes in microbial flora structure and increased the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms in diabetic rats 176 . In the treatment of depression, probiotics reduced chronic unpredictable mild stress‐induced depressive behavior of rats and increased the levels of norepinephrine and 5‐HT and inhibited the expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone 177 . Consistent with this finding, in a clinical depression treatment trial, the symptoms of all clinical trial participants were improved with a significant correlation between Ruminococcus gnavus and depression 178 .…”

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“…50 In mice lacking intestinal gut microbes associated with restraint stress, there was a significant increase in serum adrenocorticotrophic and corticosterone hormone levels. 51 Furthermore, administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB-1) attenuated high corticosterone levels induced by swimming stress in mice. 52 Lactobacillus farciminis was found to attenuate HPA axis response to acute stress.…”

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“…In addition, in the Sox2 plays an important role in the development process of the nervous system [34]. It was reported that Sox2 is mainly found in neurons and may possibly play a role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy [34,35]. Heterozygous Sox2 deficiency in humans was reported to cause hippocampal malformation, forebrain abnormalities, and epilepsy [36,37].…”