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Cheng J, Hu H, Ju Y, Liu J, Wang M, Liu B, Zhang Y. Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids and depression: deep insight into biological mechanisms and potential applications. Gen Psychiatr 2024; 37:e101374. [PMID: 38390241 PMCID: PMC10882305 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2023-101374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem known as the 'second brain'. Composing the microbiota-gut-brain axis, the gut microbiota and its metabolites regulate the central nervous system through neural, endocrine and immune pathways to ensure the normal functioning of the organism, tuning individuals' health and disease status. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the main bioactive metabolites of the gut microbiota, are involved in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. SCFAs have essential effects on each component of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in depression. In the present review, the roles of major SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) in the pathophysiology of depression are summarised with respect to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation, host epigenome and neuroendocrine alterations. Concluding remarks on the biological mechanisms related to gut microbiota will hopefully address the clinical value of microbiota-related treatments for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhe Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Medicine Eight-Year Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongkun Hu
- Clinical Medicine Eight-Year Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yumeng Ju
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mi Wang
- Department of Mental Health Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bangshan Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan, China
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