A new area of interest that is rising to the top of everyone’s research list is the concept that the gut microbiota communicates with the brain and other organs in the body. Studies have shown that he gut and the central nervous system (CNS) are closely linked and play a role in maintaining homeostasis (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). Any changes that decrease the “good” bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can cause diseases to neuroendocrine and immune system (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). Stress is also known to alter the composition and total population of gut microbiota (Mayer et al., 2014). The newly observed communication is termed the brain-gut-microbiota axis (Dinan and Cryan, 2012). In nutrition, it is well known that the brain regulates
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The sympathetic nervous system, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response helps maintain homeostasis during an excitable state. The gastrointestinal tract is affected by this response, resulting in a decrease in peristalsis. During bouts of stress the ENS can be activated by corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), affecting the mesenteric system, which contributes to the common stress symptoms including, increased colonic motility, defecation, and visceral pain sensation (Dinan and Cryan, 2012). In addition, stress can also inhibit gastric emptying, suppress colonic motor functions, and stimulate an inflammatory response in the colon (Dinan and Cryan, 2012). It has been observed that under normal conditions, non-pathogenic bacteria are restrained by the intestinal epithelium; however, under stress, the permeability increases resulting in increased bacteria and bacterial antigens to cross over the epithelial barrier. This can lead to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can activate the hypothalamus (Kiliaan et al., 1998). Also, studies with adult mice examined how social stress can reduce Bacteroidetes and increase the amount of Clostrida, an opportunistic bacterial (Mayer et al., 2014). Along with changes to the gut microbiota composition, stress and excessive consumption of lipopolysaccharides can cause pro-inflammatory cytokines to cause behavioral changes including depressed mood, …show more content…
Probiotics are commonly used to aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). However, recently, probiotics are being used as a clinical treatment for reducing anxiety and stress disorders and improving mood (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In clinical trials involving rats and humans, using probiotics containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum showed reduced signs of anxiety and a decrease in serum cortisol levels (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). Recently examined clinical trials showed that chronic treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, over a month in duration, resulted in subjects having decreased levels of corticosterone and depressive behaviors, and less anxious phenotypes (Bravo et al., 2011). In addition to these studies, chronic treatment with Bifidobacterium infantis showed to have similar effects in depression by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing plasma concentrations of tryptophan (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In addition, probiotics have shown potential properties of decreasing inflammatory cytokines, improving nutritional status, and reducing oxidative stress, which has been shown to relate to depression and anxiety (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In mice, probiotics containing Lactobacillus reuteri have demonstrated properties that boost the immune system, decrease anxiety, and reduce levels of
The sympathetic nervous system, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response helps maintain homeostasis during an excitable state. The gastrointestinal tract is affected by this response, resulting in a decrease in peristalsis. During bouts of stress the ENS can be activated by corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), affecting the mesenteric system, which contributes to the common stress symptoms including, increased colonic motility, defecation, and visceral pain sensation (Dinan and Cryan, 2012). In addition, stress can also inhibit gastric emptying, suppress colonic motor functions, and stimulate an inflammatory response in the colon (Dinan and Cryan, 2012). It has been observed that under normal conditions, non-pathogenic bacteria are restrained by the intestinal epithelium; however, under stress, the permeability increases resulting in increased bacteria and bacterial antigens to cross over the epithelial barrier. This can lead to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can activate the hypothalamus (Kiliaan et al., 1998). Also, studies with adult mice examined how social stress can reduce Bacteroidetes and increase the amount of Clostrida, an opportunistic bacterial (Mayer et al., 2014). Along with changes to the gut microbiota composition, stress and excessive consumption of lipopolysaccharides can cause pro-inflammatory cytokines to cause behavioral changes including depressed mood, …show more content…
Probiotics are commonly used to aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). However, recently, probiotics are being used as a clinical treatment for reducing anxiety and stress disorders and improving mood (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In clinical trials involving rats and humans, using probiotics containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum showed reduced signs of anxiety and a decrease in serum cortisol levels (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). Recently examined clinical trials showed that chronic treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, over a month in duration, resulted in subjects having decreased levels of corticosterone and depressive behaviors, and less anxious phenotypes (Bravo et al., 2011). In addition to these studies, chronic treatment with Bifidobacterium infantis showed to have similar effects in depression by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing plasma concentrations of tryptophan (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In addition, probiotics have shown potential properties of decreasing inflammatory cytokines, improving nutritional status, and reducing oxidative stress, which has been shown to relate to depression and anxiety (Cryan and O’Mahony, 2011). In mice, probiotics containing Lactobacillus reuteri have demonstrated properties that boost the immune system, decrease anxiety, and reduce levels of