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Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis in the maternal separation model of depression.
Neuroscience 170, 1179-1188 (2010)
The concept that intestinal microbial composition not only affects the health of the gut, but also influences centrally-mediated systems involved in mood, is supported by a growing body of literature. Despite the emergent interest in brain-gut communication and its possible role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as depression, particularly subtypes with accompanying gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, there are few studies dedicated to the search for therapeutic solutions that address both central and peripheral facets of these illnesses. This study aims to assess the potential benefits of the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis in the rat maternal separation (MS) model, a paradigm that has proven to be of value in the study of stress-related GI and mood disorders. MS adult rat offsprings were chronically treated with bifidobacteria or citalopram and subjected to the forced swim test (FST) to assess motivational state. Cytokine concentrations in stimulated whole blood samples, monoamine levels in the brain, and central and peripheral hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis measures were also analysed. MS reduced swim behavior and increased immobility in the FST, decreased noradrenaline (NA) content in the brain, and enhanced peripheral interleukin (IL)-6 release and amygdala corticotrophin-releasing factor mRNA levels. Probiotic treatment resulted in normalization of the immune response, reversal of behavioral deficits, and restoration of basal NA concentrations in the brainstem. These findings point to a more influential role for bifidobacteria in neural function, and suggest that probiotics may have broader therapeutic applications than previously considered.
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Publication type
Article: Journal article
Document type
Scientific Article
Keywords
Bifidobacteria; Probiotic; Maternal Separation; Depression; Forced swim test; Cytokines
ISSN (print) / ISBN
0306-4522
e-ISSN
1873-7544
Journal
Neuroscience
Quellenangaben
Volume: 170,
Issue: 4,
Pages: 1179-1188
Publisher
International Brain Research Organization, Elsevier
Publishing Place
Oxford
Non-patent literature
Publications
Reviewing status
Peer reviewed
Institute(s)
Institute of Developmental Genetics (IDG)