Association between Fecal Microbiota, SCFA, Gut Integrity Markers and Depressive Symptoms in Patients Treated in the Past with Bariatric Surgery—The Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Depressive symptoms often appear after surgical treatment. (2) Methods: We involved 41 adults who underwent bariatric surgery a minimum of 6 months before the study and had the Beck scale ≥12. We analysed patients’ mental state, gut barrier markers, faecal short chain fatty acids, and microbiota. (3) Results: Gut microbiota composition differed significantly among patients undergoing two different types of surgery (F = 1.64, p = 0.00002). Additionally, we discovered an association between short chain fatty acids and the Beck scale (F = 1.22, p = 0.058). The rearrangement of bacterial metabolites may be due to the patients’ use of increased dietary protein, with insufficient intake of products containing vegetable fiber (Diet Quality Index (DQI-I )adequacy 22.55 (±3.46) points). (4) Conclusions: Bariatric surgery affects the gut microbiota, which may play an important role in the development of depressive and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients after bariatric surgery. Low fiber consumption and increased levels of faecal isobutyric acid may lead to intestinal inflammation. There is a need for further research on this topic including a larger sample size.

Systematic Review on the Effects of Food on Mental Health via Gut Microbiome

“…Conversely, diet may have negative effects on the gut microbiome. Komorniak et al [30] find that an increase in protein and a decrease in fiber negatively affect the gut microbiome of those who undergo bariatric surgery. Depressive symptoms were developed after an initial significant improvement in mental health, with stool samples found to contain an increased amount of branched-chain fatty acids resulting from the high protein intake.…”

“…Depressive symptoms were developed after an initial significant improvement in mental health, with stool samples found to contain an increased amount of branched-chain fatty acids resulting from the high protein intake. This leads to the formation of metabolites, which inflame the mucosa and affect the intestinal nervous system, causing more symptoms of depression to occur [30]. In particular, meat-rich diets and high-fat diets are found to alter the gut microbiome and affect mental health.…”

“…A meta-analysis suggested that a meat-rich diet is associated with a moderately high depression risk [62]. Specifically, red meat, such as beef, mutton, and pork, as well as processed meat like sausages, luncheon meat, frankfurters, and corned beef, are correlated with mental and physical fatigue [30].…”

Analysis of the Efficacy of Diet and Short-Term Probiotic Intervention on Depressive Symptoms in Patients after Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Pilot Study

“…In our previous study, we showed that bariatric surgery affects the gut microbiota, which may play an important role in the development of depressive and gastrointestinal symptoms [9]. Low fiber consumption and increased levels of fecal isobutyric acid may lead to intestinal inflammation.…”

Maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum following bariatric surgery and comparison with pregnant women with obesity: a study protocol for a prospective cohort

“…Furthermore, Kim et al reported that in the group of pregnant women with a history of bariatric surgery, the rate of depression/anxiety was 24.4%, while this rate was reported as 14.3% inpregnant women with obesity without a history of bariatric surgery [ 60 ]. Factors like changes in intestinal microbiota and nutrient absorption may contribute to mental disorders [ 61 , 62 ]. During pregnancy, this issue can be related to changes in food absorption and issues and fears related to the more difficult adaptation of these people to pregnancy (due to changes in physical and mental levels caused by bariatric surgery) [ 63 ].…”