Lactobacillus brevis-Fermented Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Ameliorates Depression- and Anxiety-Like Behaviors by Activating the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B Signaling Pathway in BALB/C Mice

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus brevis-fermented gamma-aminobutyric acid (LB-GABA) on depressive and anxiety-like behaviors with the underlying molecular mechanism in a chronic stress model of BALB/c mice. LB-GABA attenuates both neuronal cell death and the increase of monoamine oxidase activity induced by hydrogen peroxide. Behavioral tests revealed that GABA significantly increased sucrose preference and reduced immobility time in both tail suspension and forced swimming tests. LB-GABA increased exploration of the open arms in the elevated plus maze and restored activity in the open field. Moreover, LB-GABA lowered stress hormone and inflammatory mediator levels. Mechanistically, LB-GABA increased protein levels of BDNF and TrkB, activating downstream targets (AKT, ERK, and CREB), crucial for neuronal survival and plasticity. Furthermore, LB-GABA protected hippocampal neurons from stress-induced cell death and increased serotonin and dopamine levels. Overall, LB-GABA has the potential to alleviate stress-induced depression and anxiety-like symptoms and neuroinflammation by activating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway.

The effect of prebiotic and probiotic food consumption on anxiety severity: a nationwide study in Korea

“…Dietary interventions with probiotics may increase diversity of intestinal microbiome and improve mental health outcomes. Probiotics can modulate neurotransmitters and proteins (GABA, glutamate, histamine, serotonin, and BDNF) by gut-brain axis, and are essential to control the neural excitatory-inhibitory balance, mood, and anxiety ( 37 , 38 ). Bravo et al ( 16 ) identified that ingestion of the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus resulted in vagus nerve dependent anxiolytic behavioral effects and change of GABA receptor expression.…”