Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered the important role of… Lactobacillus In managing stress and possibly preventing depression and anxiety. Their research has identified how these bacteria found in fermented foods and yogurt affect mood disorders by regulating the immune system.
Researchers have revealed the crucial role Lactobacillus bacteria play in stress management and potential prevention of depression and anxiety, paving the way for new probiotic-based treatments for mental health conditions.
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered how Lactobacillusa bacteria found in fermented foods and yogurt, helps the body control pressure It may help prevent depression And anxiety. The findings open the door to new treatments for treating anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.
Role Lactobacillus In mental health
New research by Dr. Alban Gauthier of UVA and his collaborators is notable because it identifies a role LactobacillusIt separates it from all other microorganisms that naturally live in and on our bodies. These organisms are collectively known as microorganisms, and scientists are increasingly seeking to target them to fight disease and improve our health. The new UVA research represents a major step forward in this effort, providing scientists with an innovative new approach to understanding the role of individual microbes that could facilitate the development of new treatments for a wide range of diseases, both mental and physical.
University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher Alban Gauthier and his team have figured out how to do this LactobacillusBacteria in fermented foods and yogurt help the body manage stress and may help prevent depression and anxiety. Credit: Dan Addison, UVA Health
“Our discovery highlights the extent of the presence of the intestine Lactobacillus “It affects mood disorders, by adjusting the immune system,” said Gaultier, of UVA’s Department of Neuroscience, the Center for Brain and Glial Immunity (BIG Center) and the Microbiome Initiative across the university. “Our research could pave the way toward discovering much-needed treatments for anxiety and depression.”
Microbiota and depression
Our gut is naturally home to countless bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The number of microorganisms living in and on us exceeds the number of cells in our bodies. This may sound disgusting, even alarming, but scientists have increasingly realized that these microorganisms and their endless interactions are critical to the health of our immune systems, our mental health, and many other aspects of our well-being. Disturbances to the microbiota, whether due to disease, malnutrition or other causes, are known to contribute to many diseases and even aid in the spread of cancer. Therefore, researchers have been very excited in recent years about the possibility of combating diseases by targeting microorganisms.
Early attempts to manipulate gut bacteria using beneficial bacteria, called probiotics, produced mixed results. A large part of the problem is the enormous complexity of the microbiome. It’s estimated that there are 39 trillion microorganisms inside each of us, so trying to understand what a particular bacterium or fungus does—not to mention how it interacts with all the other microorganisms and their host—can be like trying to count the grains of sand on the beach. .
New research by Alban Gauthier of UVA and his collaborators is notable because it identifies a role LactobacillusIt separates it from all other microorganisms that naturally live in and on our bodies. Credit: Dan Addison, UVA Health
Innovative research approach
Gauthier and his team took an innovative approach to focus on it Lactobacilli particulary. Previous research by Gaultier’s lab has indicated that bacteria can reverse depression in laboratory mice, a very promising discovery. However, researchers had to understand how.
“We knew from our previous research that Lactobacillus It was useful in improving mood disorders and was lost after psychological stress, but the underlying causes have remained unclear, primarily due to the technical challenges associated with studying the microbiome.
Gauthier and his team decided to continue their research on depression using a group of bacteria, known as the Altered Schaedler Flora, which includes two strains of bacteria. Lactobacillus And six other bacterial strains. Using this rarely used bacterial community, the team was able to create mice with and without lactobacillus, Circumventing the need for antibiotics.
Breakthrough results
Altered Schaedler Flora has certainly produced dramatic results. Gauthier and his colleagues were able to explain exactly how this happens Lactobacilli The impact on behavior, and how a lack of bacteria can exacerbate depression and anxiety. Lactobacilli in the family LactobacilliThey found that it maintains levels of an immune mediator called interferon gamma that regulates the body’s response to stress and helps stave off depression.
Armed with this information, researchers are poised to develop new ways to prevent and treat depression and other mental health conditions Lactobacillus It plays an important role. For example, patients who suffer from depression (or are at risk for it) may one day take specially formulated probiotic supplements that improve their levels of beneficial nutrients. Lactobacillus.
“With these results in hand, we have new tools to improve the development of probiotics, which will accelerate the discoveries of new treatments,” said researcher Andrea R. Mirczak, Ph.D. “More importantly, we can now explore how to maintain a healthy level of… Lactobacillus and/or interferon gamma may be investigated to prevent and treat anxiety and depression.
The UVA scientists published their findings in the journal Brain behavior and immunity.
Reference: “Lactobacillus From Altered Schaedler Flora Maintains IFNγ Homeostasis to Promote Resilience to Behavioral Stress” Written by Andrea R. Mirschak, Samuel Washamo, Lucille C. Brown, Alisha Thakur, Britt Morrow, Ryan M. Brown, Courtney R. Rivett-Noor, Toula Raghavan and Alban Gauthier , November 3, 2023, Brain, behavior and immunity.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.001
The research team consisted of Mirshak, Samuel Washamo, Lucille C. Brown, Alisha Thakur, Brett Morrow, Ryan M. Brown, Courtney Rivette Noor, Toula Raghavan, and Gaultier. The researchers have no financial interest in the work.
The work was previously supported National Institutes of Health, grants T32 NS115657, T32 GM008136, F31 AI174782, T32 GM007267 and T32 GM148379; Owens Family Foundation; Miller family; the UVA TransUniversity Microbiome Initiative; and a UVA Presidential Fellowship in Neuroscience.
UVA’s TransUniversity Microbiome Initiative, or TUMI, serves as a central hub for cutting-edge microbiome research at the university. The initiative aims to expand our understanding of the microbiome to improve disease treatment and prevention.
