Bifidobacterium: a probiotic for the prevention and treatment of depression

Abstract

Depression is a common psychological disease, which has become one of the main factors affecting human health. It has a serious impact on individuals, families, and society. With the prevalence of COVID-19, the incidence of depression has further increased worldwide. It has been confirmed that probiotics play a role in preventing and treating depression. Especially, Bifidobacterium is the most widely used probiotic and has positive effects on the treatment of depression. The mechanisms underlying its antidepressant effects might include anti-inflammation and regulation of tryptophan metabolism, 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis, and the hypothalamus-pituitary–adrenal axis. In this mini-review, the relationship between Bifidobacterium and depression was summarized. It is hoped that Bifidobacterium-related preparations would play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of depression in the future.

The influence of the gut-brain axis on anxiety and depression: A review of the literature on the use of probiotics

“…Bifidobacteria can be used to treat depressive symptoms, may be related to reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, improving the permeability of the intestinal barrier, regulating the tryptophan levels, affecting 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) synthesis, and regulating hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. 146 …”

“…Additionally, the histamines produced by L. reuteri in intestinal epithelial cells reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which halts the depletion of BDNF, a biomarker for mental health in the hippocampal region. 146 …”

“…During viral infection, lactocepins produced by L. paracasei help reduce inflammatory cytokine migration by maintaining intestinal epithelium integrity. 146 B. infantis produces similar polysaccharides, increasing the CNS's production of NE neurotransmitters, while L. kefiranofaciens secretes extracellular polysaccharides that have immunomodulatory qualities that may reduce the HPA axis's hyperactivity 146

Fig. 6 Postbiotics in balancing hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and mental health during post-COVID regime.

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Bifidobacterium exopolysaccharides: new insights into engineering strategies, physicochemical functions, and immunomodulatory effects on host health

“…Bifidobacteria, a genus within the Actinobacteria branch, are Gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria shaped like bacilli, acknowledged as a pivotal bacterial group in the intestinal microbial community, particularly during natural childbirth and infancy. First isolated in 1899 by Tissier from the feces of breastfed babies, this genus encompasses over 50 different species, including notable examples such as Bifidobacterium bifidum , Bifidobacterium longum , Bifidobacterium breve , Bifidobacterium animal , Bifidobacterium adolescentis , Bifidobacterium pseudostreptococcus , and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum ( Schell et al, 2002 ; Fanning et al, 2012b ; Eshaghi et al, 2017 ; Ruiz et al, 2017 ; Hidalgo-Cantabrana et al, 2018 ; Turroni et al, 2019 ; Yao et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2023 ; Nicolescu et al, 2023 ; Pacyga-Prus et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In infants, bifidobacteria typically account for about 90% of intestinal bacteria, while in adults, this proportion decreases to 3%–5%. The mode of infant feeding significantly impacts the establishment of bifidobacteria in the gut, with breastfed infants showing higher levels compared to formula-fed counterparts ( Liu et al, 2014 ; Ruiz et al, 2017 ; Choi et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2023 ). These bacteria have the capability to produce metabolites known as exopolysaccharides (EPSs) during fermentation.…”