Hussain A, Koser N, Aun S M, Siddiqui M F, Malik S, Ali S A
Third World Center for Science and Technology, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, 63597University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Benef Microbes. 2024 Nov 27;16(2):135-156. doi: 10.1163/18762891-bja00053.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. The selection criteria for probiotics include strain safety, viability, tolerance, metabolite production and/or the ability to modulate the immune system. Probiotics are commonly used in industries, such as food, agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and aquaculture. Recently, the medicinal applications of probiotics have gained attention and are being explored for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. One emerging area of interest is their potential role in psychological disorders. Mental illnesses, characterised by disturbances in behaviour, mood, thinking, and emotions, affect over one billion people globally. While various preventive and treatment options for mental disorders exists, each is associated with certain limitations. A new avenue being explored is the gut-brain axis, a complex bi-directional communication between the gut and the brain, that is facilitated by hormonal, neuronal, humoral, and immunological pathways. This system plays an important role in mental health. Probiotics, as a key modulator of the gut microbiome, could play a vital role in this communication. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. Probiotics may act through the production of metabolites and neuroactive substances, as well as through immunomodulation and cytokine production. Current data shows promising effects on stress, mood, and depression, presenting probiotics as a potential natural treatment option for psychological disorders. Nevertheless, major limitations in the existing research include insufficient clinical outcomes, limited sample sizes, and variable dosing. Future advancements may be achieved through stratifications based on gut microbiota, the use of next-generation probiotic strains, and the conduct of comprehensive validation studies.
益生菌是一类活的微生物，当给予足够数量时，能给宿主带来健康益处。益生菌的选择标准包括菌株安全性、生存能力、耐受性、代谢产物产生和/或调节免疫系统的能力。益生菌广泛应用于食品、农业、医药、生物技术、制药和水产养殖等行业。近年来，益生菌的医学应用受到关注，并正在探索其对各种疾病的预防和治疗作用。一个新兴的研究领域是它们在心理障碍中的潜在作用。精神疾病以行为、情绪、思维和情感紊乱为特征，全球有超过10亿人受其影响。虽然存在多种针对精神障碍的预防和治疗方法，但每种方法都有一定的局限性。正在探索的一条新途径是肠-脑轴，它是肠道和大脑之间复杂的双向通信系统，由激素、神经、体液和免疫途径介导。该系统在心理健康中起着重要作用。益生菌作为肠道微生物群的关键调节因子，可能在这种通信中发挥重要作用。然而，其潜在机制仍有待探索。益生菌可能通过产生代谢产物和神经活性物质，以及通过免疫调节和细胞因子产生来发挥作用。目前的数据显示，益生菌对压力、情绪和抑郁有显著效果，表明其作为心理障碍潜在的天然治疗选择。尽管如此，现有研究的主要局限性包括临床结果不足、样本量有限和剂量可变。未来的进展可能通过基于肠道微生物群的分层、使用新一代益生菌菌株以及进行全面的验证研究来实现。
