Exploring the Potential of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 as Promising Psychobiotics Using SHIME

Abstract

Psychobiotics are probiotics that have the characteristics of modulating central nervous system (CNS) functions or reconciled actions by the gut–brain axis (GBA) through neural, humoral and metabolic pathways to improve gastrointestinal activity as well as anxiolytic and even antidepressant abilities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 on the gut microbiota of mildly anxious adults using SHIME®. The protocol included a one-week control period and two weeks of treatment with L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175. Ammonia (NH4+), short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), cytokines and microbiota composition were determined. Probiotic strains decreased significantly throughout the gastric phase. The highest survival rates were exhibited by L. helveticus R0052 (81.58%; 77.22%) after the gastric and intestinal phase when compared to B. longum (68.80%; 64.64%). At the genus level, a taxonomic assignment performed in the ascending colon in the SHIME® model showed that probiotics (7 and 14 days) significantly (p < 0.005) increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Olsenella and significantly decreased Lachnospira and Escheria-Shigella. The probiotic treatment (7 and 14 days) decreased (p < 0.001) NH4+ production when compared to the control period. For SCFAs, we observed after probiotic treatment (14 days) an increase (p < 0.001) in acetic acid production and total SCFAs when compared to the control period. Probiotic treatment increased (p < 0.001) the secretion of anti-inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-10) and decreased (p < 0.001) pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha) when compared to the control period. The gut–brain axis plays an important role in the gut microbiota, producing SCFAs and GABA, stimulating the production of anti-anxiety homeostasis. The signature of the microbiota in anxiety disorders provides a promising direction for the prevention of mental illness and opens a new perspective for using the psychobiotic as a main actor of therapeutic targets.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 on seizure thresholds and antiseizure potency of sodium valproate in mice

“…In a study by Wang et al ( 2019b ), L. helveticus R0052 exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by downregulating TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, NF-κB, and TNF-α transcription in liver, decreasing proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, RANTES, and MIP-3α) in serum, and enhancing the intestinal barrier of d -galactosamine-treated rats. The anti-inflammatory properties of L. helveticus R0052, in combination with B. longum R0175, were also demonstrated in other studies (De Oliveira et al 2023 ; Mohammadi et al 2019 ; Partrick et al 2021 ).…”

Evaluation of Probiotic Properties and Safety of Lactobacillus helveticus LH10 Derived from Vinegar through Comprehensive Analysis of Genotype and Phenotype

“…In this study, L. helveticus R0052, an approved probiotic strain isolated from sweet acidophilus milk [24], was selected for collinearity analysis with L. helveticus LH10. The genomic comparison software ProgressiveMauve (Version 2.4.0) [25] was used for genomic comparison (default parameter settings) to derive the genetic rearrangements, deletions, and structural differences.…”

Does “all disease begin in the gut”? The gut-organ cross talk in the microbiome

“…Beneficial gut bacteria, including species like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, are responsible for synthesizing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are pivotal in regulating mood (Cryan and Dinan 2012;Foster and McVey Neufeld 2013). In a recent study, the efficacy of a mixture containing Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 was examined, revealing favorable psychological outcomes alongside (modulating the gut microbiota, increase in short chain fatty acids and gamma-aminobutyric acid, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines) decreased serum cortisol levels in human participants (De Oliveira et al 2023). Moreover, gut microbes influence the production of neuroactive compounds, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have the ability to influence brain function and behavior (Cryan and Dinan 2012).…”