Agarwal Vipul, Chaudhary Rishabh, Gupta Anugya
MIT College of Pharmacy, Ram Ganga Vihar Phase-II, Moradabad, 244001, U.P, India.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226 025, U.P, India.
Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2025 Apr 26. doi: 10.1007/s12602-025-10553-y.
Chronic stress is a widespread problem that significantly affects both physical and mental health, leading to numerous complications such as mood disorders, cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic diseases. The dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and the gut-brain axis underlies several stress related disorders, leading to systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, dysbiosis, and impaired gut barrier integrity. This review emphasizes the growing significance of probiotics as a potential treatment strategy for addressing chronic stress. Probiotics are living bacteria that provide health benefits when consumed in sufficient quantities, acting via several processes including restoration of gut microbial composition, augmentation of gut barrier integrity, and synthesis bioactive compounds such as neurotransmitters and short-chain fatty acids. These effects lead to reduced systemic and neuroinflammation, enhanced neuroplasticity, and the regulation of stress responsive pathways, including the HPA axis. Moreover, probiotics enhance parasympathetic nervous system activity by modulating vagus signaling. Current review indicates the promise of probiotics in alleviating chronic stress; nonetheless, substantial gaps exist regarding strain specific benefits, appropriate doses, and long-term safety. It is essential to address these constraints by comprehensive, large scale clinical studies and tailored therapies. This review highlights the significance of probiotics as a natural, non-invasive approach to chronic stress management, providing an innovative solution for the worldwide issue of stress related health problems.
慢性应激是一个普遍存在的问题，严重影响身心健康，会引发诸多并发症，如情绪障碍、认知障碍、胃肠道问题和慢性疾病。下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴和肠-脑轴的失调是多种与应激相关疾病的基础，会导致全身炎症、神经炎症、肠道菌群失调以及肠道屏障完整性受损。本综述强调了益生菌作为应对慢性应激的一种潜在治疗策略的重要性日益增加。益生菌是活细菌，当摄入足够数量时可带来健康益处，其作用途径包括恢复肠道微生物组成、增强肠道屏障完整性以及合成生物活性化合物，如神经递质和短链脂肪酸。这些作用可减轻全身和神经炎症，增强神经可塑性，并调节应激反应途径，包括HPA轴。此外，益生菌通过调节迷走神经信号增强副交感神经系统活动。当前综述表明益生菌在缓解慢性应激方面具有前景；然而，在菌株特异性益处、合适剂量和长期安全性方面仍存在很大差距。必须通过全面、大规模的临床研究和个性化治疗来解决这些限制。本综述强调了益生菌作为一种天然、非侵入性的慢性应激管理方法的重要性，为全球与应激相关的健康问题提供了一种创新解决方案。
