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Midya V, Nagdeo K, Lane JM, Torres-Olascoaga LA, Torres-Calapiz M, Gennings C, Horton MK, Téllez-Rojo MM, Wright RO, Arora M, Eggers S. Prenatal metal exposures and childhood gut microbial signatures are associated with depression score in late childhood. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170361. [PMID: 38278245 PMCID: PMC10922719 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood depression is a major public health issue worldwide. Previous studies have linked both prenatal metal exposures and the gut microbiome to depression in children. However, few, if any, have studied their interacting effect in specific subgroups of children. OBJECTIVES Using an interpretable machine-learning method, this study investigates whether children with specific combinations of prenatal metals and childhood microbial signatures (cliques or groups of metals and microbes) were more likely to have higher depression scores at 9-11 years of age. METHODS We leveraged data from a well-characterized pediatric longitudinal birth cohort in Mexico City and its microbiome substudy (n = 112). Eleven metal exposures were measured in maternal whole blood samples in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The gut microbial abundances were measured at 9-11-year-olds using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Child Depression Index (CDI) t-scores at 9-11 years of age. We used Microbial and Chemical Exposure Analysis (MiCxA), which combines interpretable machine-learning into a regression framework to identify and estimate joint associations of metal-microbial cliques in specific subgroups. Analyses were adjusted for relevant covariates. RESULTS We identified a subgroup of children (11.6 % of the sample) characterized by a four-component metal-microbial clique that had a significantly high depression score (15.4 % higher than the rest) in late childhood. This metal-microbial clique consisted of high Zinc in the second trimester, low Cobalt in the third trimester, a high abundance of Bacteroides fragilis, a high abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. All combinations of cliques (two-, three-, and four-components) were significantly associated with increased log-transformed t-scored CDI (β = 0.14, 95%CI = [0.05,0.23], P < 0.01 for the four-component clique). SIGNIFICANCE This study offers a new approach to chemical-microbial analysis and a novel demonstration that children with specific gut microbiome cliques and metal exposures during pregnancy may have a higher likelihood of elevated depression scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Midya
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Kiran Nagdeo
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jamil M Lane
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Libni A Torres-Olascoaga
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Mariana Torres-Calapiz
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan K Horton
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martha M Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shoshannah Eggers
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Warren M, O'Connor C, Lee JE, Burton J, Walton D, Keathley J, Wammes M, Osuch E. Predispose, precipitate, perpetuate, and protect: how diet and the gut influence mental health in emerging adulthood. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1339269. [PMID: 38505265 PMCID: PMC10948435 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1339269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Medicine often employs the 4Ps of predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors to identify salient influences on illness states, and to help guide patient care. Mental illness is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Mental health is a complex combination of biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors. There is growing interest in the gut-brain-microbiome (GBM) axis and its impact on mental health. We use the medical model of the 4Ps to explore factors involving the connection between nutrition and the GBM axis and their associated risks with mental health problems in emerging adults (EAs), a life stage when mental illness onset is the most common. We review the impact of current dietary trends on the GBM and on mental health, and the role that gut microbiome-based interventions can have in modulating the GBM axis of EAs. We discuss the implications of gut health on the GBM and areas for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Warren
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Colleen O'Connor
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ju Eun Lee
- Geriatrics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremy Burton
- Department of Surgery, Microbiology and Immunology, Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - David Walton
- School of Physical Therapy, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Justine Keathley
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Wammes
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Osuch
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
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Xi D, Liu P, Feng Y, Teng Y, Liang Y, Zhou J, Deng H, Zeng G, Zong S. Fecal microbiota transplantation regulates the microbiota-gut-spinal cord axis to promote recovery after spinal cord injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111212. [PMID: 37979452 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is devastating for patients, and currently lacks effective treatments. Dysbiosis commonly occurs after SCI and has significant immunomodulatory effects, but its impact on recovery remains unclear. The current study investigated the effects and mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in SCI. FMT was administered in a rat model of SCI and spinal pathology, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiome composition were assessed. Flow cytometry identified a source of interleukin (IL)-17 in spinal cord tissues, and carboxyfluorescein succimidyl ester labeling tracked γδ T cell migration. In vitro coculture was used to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of γδ T cells. Seahorse analysis was used to profile dendritic cell (DC) metabolism. Here we show that FMT improved spinal pathology and dampened post-injury inflammation. It also corrected post-SCI dysbiosis, increasing levels of the beneficial bacterium Akkermansia. The therapeutic effects of FMT were mediated by IL-17 produced by γδ T cells. FMT regulated γδ T cells via DC-T regulatory cell interaction, and induced metabolic reprogramming in DCs. These findings suggest that FMT represents a promising therapeutic approach for SCI, with potential to target IL-17+ γδ T cells. Elucidating the interconnected pathways between microbiota, immunity, and the spinal cord may facilitate novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deshuang Xi
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, He-nan, China
| | - Yanbing Feng
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yilin Teng
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Junhong Zhou
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Gaofeng Zeng
- College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Shaohui Zong
- Department of Spine and Osteopathy Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.
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Njoku EN, Mottawea W, Hassan H, Gomaa A, Bordenave N, Hammami R. Bioengineered Wheat Arabinoxylan - Fostering Next-Generation Prebiotics Targeting Health-Related Gut Microbes. PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 78:698-703. [PMID: 37919537 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-023-01120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Dietary prebiotic fibers play an important role in modulating gut microbiota by enhancing the abundance of beneficial microorganisms and their bioactive metabolites. However, dietary fibers are a structurally heterogeneous class of polysaccharides, varying in molar mass, branching patterns, and monosaccharide composition, which could influence their utilization by various gut microorganisms. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of molar mass and chemical structure of wheat arabinoxylan fiber (AX) on the growth and metabolism of two key gut resident bacteria (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG), which are linked to human health. For this purpose, low, medium, and high molar masses of AX (LAX, MAX, and HAX, respectively) were modified with specific α-arabinofuranosidases to leave only singly substituted, only doubly substituted, or unsubstituted xylose units. Almost all the modified AX samples showed a better prebiotic score than unmodified AX for different molar masses. The modified LAX exhibited a better prebiotic effect than HAX and MAX. In addition, LAX, with doubly substituted xylose units, exhibited the highest prebiotic potential and SCFA production by both microorganisms. Furthermore, AX, either singly or doubly substituted, had a consistent impact on L. rhamnosus growth, whereas AX, with all arabinose residues removed, had a greater impact on F. prausnitzii. These findings support the potential of bioengineered AX as next-generation prebiotics targeting health-related gut microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel N Njoku
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Walid Mottawea
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hebatoallah Hassan
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed Gomaa
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- National Research Center, Nutrition and Food Science Department, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nicolas Bordenave
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Riadh Hammami
- NuGut Research Platform, School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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de Souza PB, de Araujo Borba L, Castro de Jesus L, Valverde AP, Gil-Mohapel J, Rodrigues ALS. Major Depressive Disorder and Gut Microbiota: Role of Physical Exercise. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16870. [PMID: 38069198 PMCID: PMC10706777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a high prevalence and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. This psychiatric disorder results from a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in brain health has received particular attention, and compelling evidence has shown that patients suffering from depression have gut dysbiosis. Several studies have reported that gut dysbiosis-induced inflammation may cause and/or contribute to the development of depression through dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Indeed, as a consequence of gut dysbiosis, neuroinflammatory alterations caused by microglial activation together with impairments in neuroplasticity may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. The modulation of the gut microbiota has been recognized as a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of MMD. In this regard, physical exercise has been shown to positively change microbiota composition and diversity, and this can underlie, at least in part, its antidepressant effects. Given this, the present review will explore the relationship between physical exercise, gut microbiota and depression, with an emphasis on the potential of physical exercise as a non-invasive strategy for modulating the gut microbiota and, through this, regulating the gut-brain axis and alleviating MDD-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Borges de Souza
- Center of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, SC, Brazil; (P.B.d.S.); (L.d.A.B.); (L.C.d.J.); (A.P.V.)
| | - Laura de Araujo Borba
- Center of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, SC, Brazil; (P.B.d.S.); (L.d.A.B.); (L.C.d.J.); (A.P.V.)
| | - Louise Castro de Jesus
- Center of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, SC, Brazil; (P.B.d.S.); (L.d.A.B.); (L.C.d.J.); (A.P.V.)
| | - Ana Paula Valverde
- Center of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, SC, Brazil; (P.B.d.S.); (L.d.A.B.); (L.C.d.J.); (A.P.V.)
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues
- Center of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, SC, Brazil; (P.B.d.S.); (L.d.A.B.); (L.C.d.J.); (A.P.V.)
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6
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Lei W, Cheng Y, Gao J, Liu X, Shao L, Kong Q, Zheng N, Ling Z, Hu W. Akkermansia muciniphila in neuropsychiatric disorders: friend or foe? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1224155. [PMID: 37492530 PMCID: PMC10363720 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1224155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
An accumulating body of evidence suggests that the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila exhibits positive systemic effects on host health, mainly by improving immunological and metabolic functions, and it is therefore regarded as a promising potential probiotic. Recent clinical and preclinical studies have shown that A. muciniphila plays a vital role in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders by influencing the host brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Numerous studies observed that A. muciniphila and its metabolic substances can effectively improve the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders by restoring the gut microbiota, reestablishing the integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, regulating host immunity, and modulating gut and neuroinflammation. However, A. muciniphila was also reported to participate in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders by aggravating inflammation and influencing mucus production. Therefore, the exact mechanism of action of A. muciniphila remains much controversial. This review summarizes the proposed roles and mechanisms of A. muciniphila in various neurological and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and autism spectrum disorders, and provides insights into the potential therapeutic application of A. muciniphila for the treatment of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Lei
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yiwen Cheng
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Shao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Biological Engineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nengneng Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zongxin Ling
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiming Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Quzhou Third Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Chan KW, Hebert J, Radford-Smith D, Anthony DC, Burnet PW. Live or heat-killed probiotic administration reduces anxiety and central cytokine expression in BALB/c mice, but differentially alters brain neurotransmitter gene expression. Neuropharmacology 2023; 235:109565. [PMID: 37150398 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
While the potential for probiotic supplements to act as adjunctive treatments for mood disorders has been widely demonstrated, the precise mode of action remains unclear. To investigate the psychotropic effects of a multi-species probiotic supplement on emotional behaviour in male BALB/c mice, we explored the potential mechanisms of action relating to the temporal changes in the mRNA expression of brain cytokines, growth factors, central 5HT receptor and serotonin transporter (SERT) and GABA receptor in the context of probiotic induced behavioural changes. The effects of a heat-killed probiotic, independent of microbial metabolic processes were also evaluated on the same outcomes to understand whether the host response to the bacteria is more or less important than the contribution of the metabolic activity of the bacteria themselves. Results showed that probiotic supplementation reduced anxiety-like behaviours, increased time spent in the light area of the light-dark box, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain. Furthermore, probiotic administration elevated hippocampal BDNF and decreased GABAB1β expression. Interestingly, the heat-killed probiotic and its membrane fraction had similar effects on emotional behaviours and gene expression in the brain. The ingestion of live and heat-killed probiotic preparations also reduced TLR2 expression in the gut. Thus, the present study reveals that the anxiolytic action of a multispecies probiotic in BALB/c mice is independent of bacterial viability. This suggests that it is the host response to probiotics, rather than microbial metabolism that facilitates the molecular changes in the brain and downstream behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Wai Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Hebert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel C Anthony
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Wj Burnet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
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Gao J, Zhao L, Cheng Y, Lei W, Wang Y, Liu X, Zheng N, Shao L, Chen X, Sun Y, Ling Z, Xu W. Probiotics for the treatment of depression and its comorbidities: A systemic review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1167116. [PMID: 37139495 PMCID: PMC10149938 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1167116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions, characterized by significant and persistent depressed mood and diminished interest, and often coexists with various comorbidities. The underlying mechanism of depression remain elusive, evidenced by the lack of an appreciate therapy. Recent abundant clinical trials and animal studies support the new notion that the gut microbiota has emerged as a novel actor in the pathophysiology of depression, which partakes in bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain through the neuroendocrine, nervous, and immune signaling pathways, collectively known as the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Alterations in the gut microbiota can trigger the changes in neurotransmitters, neuroinflammation, and behaviors. With the transition of human microbiome research from studying associations to investigating mechanistic causality, the MGB axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic target in depression and its comorbidities. These novel insights have fueled idea that targeting on the gut microbiota may open new windows for efficient treatment of depression and its comorbidities. Probiotics, live beneficial microorganisms, can be used to modulate gut dysbiosis into a new eubiosis and modify the occurrence and development of depression and its comorbidities. In present review, we summarize recent findings regarding the MGB axis in depression and discuss the potential therapeutic effects of probiotics on depression and its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Longyou Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Second People’s Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiwen Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenhui Lei
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nengneng Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Shao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Hangzhou Normal University, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xulei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Lishui Second People’s Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yilai Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Lishui Second People’s Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zongxin Ling
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weijie Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Lishui Second People’s Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
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9
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Segers A, de Vos WM. Mode of action of Akkermansia muciniphila in the intestinal dialogue: role of extracellular proteins, metabolites and cell envelope components. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:6. [PMID: 38045608 PMCID: PMC10688800 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Akkermansia muciniphila is a promising next-generation beneficial microbe due to its natural presence in the mucus layer of the gut, its symbiotic ability to degrade mucus, and its capacity to improve the intestinal barrier function. A. muciniphila is able to counteract weight gain and immuno-metabolic disturbances in several animal models. Many of these disorders, including obesity and auto-immune diseases, have been associated with decreased gut barrier function and consequent increased inflammation. Since A. muciniphila was found to normalize these changes and strengthen the gut barrier function, it is hypothesized that other beneficial effects of A. muciniphila might be caused by this restoration. In search for A. muciniphila's mode of action in enhancing the gut barrier function and promoting health, we reasoned that secreted components or cell envelope components of A. muciniphila are interesting candidates as they can potentially reach and interact with the epithelial barrier. In this review, we focus on the potential mechanisms through which A. muciniphila can exert its beneficial effects on the host by the production of extracellular and secreted proteins, metabolites and cell envelope components. These products have been studied in isolation for their structure, signaling capacity, and in some cases, also for their effects in preclinical models. This includes the protein known as Amuc_1100, which we here rename as pilus-associated signaling (PAS) protein , the P9 protein encoded by Amuc_1631, the short-chain fatty acids acetate and propionate, and cell envelope components, such as phosphatidylethanolamine and peptidoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneleen Segers
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Willem M. de Vos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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