Mörkl Sabrina, Narrath Martin, Schlotmann Daria, Sallmutter Marie-Therese, Putz Julia, Lang Julia, Brandstätter Andreas, Pilz Rene, Karl Lackner Helmut, Goswami Nandu, Steuber Bianca, Tatzer Jasmin, Lackner Sonja, Holasek Sandra, Painold Annamaria, Jauk Emanuel, Wenninger Julian, Horvath Angela, Spicher Nicolai, Barth Asmus, Butler Mary I, Wagner-Skacel Jolana
Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Division of Physiology und Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Gut Microbes. 2025 Dec;17(1):2492377. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2025.2492377. Epub 2025 Apr 29.
Major depression (MD) significantly impacts individual well-being and society. The vagus nerve plays a pivotal role in the gut-brain axis, facilitating bidirectional communication between these systems. Recent meta-analyses suggest potential antidepressant effects of probiotics, although their mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of a multi-species probiotic (OMNi-BiOTiC® STRESS Repair) on vagus nerve function in 43 MD patients and 43 healthy controls (HC). Participants received either probiotics or placebo twice daily. Serum and stool samples were collected at baseline, 7 days, 28 days, and 3 months. Vagus nerve (VN) function was evaluated using 24-hour electrocardiography (ECG) for heart rate variability (HRV), alongside stool microbiome analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing. After 3 months, MD patients receiving probiotics demonstrated significantly improved morning VN function compared to HC. MD participants who were in the probiotic group showed a significant increase in , particularly along with improved sleep parameters (use of sleep medication, sleep latency) as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSI). This study highlights potential physiological benefits of probiotics in MD, potentially mediated through VN stimulation. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for MD management.
重度抑郁症（MD）对个人幸福和社会有重大影响。迷走神经在肠-脑轴中起关键作用，促进这些系统之间的双向通信。最近的荟萃分析表明益生菌具有潜在的抗抑郁作用，但其机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在评估一种多菌株益生菌（OMNi-BiOTiC® STRESS Repair）对43例MD患者和43例健康对照者（HC）迷走神经功能的影响。参与者每天接受两次益生菌或安慰剂。在基线、7天、28天和3个月时采集血清和粪便样本。使用24小时心电图（ECG）评估迷走神经（VN）功能以测量心率变异性（HRV），同时通过16S rRNA测序进行粪便微生物群分析。3个月后，接受益生菌的MD患者与HC相比，早晨VN功能有显著改善。益生菌组的MD参与者显示 显著增加，特别是 ，同时匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSI）测量的睡眠参数（使用睡眠药物、睡眠潜伏期）有所改善。本研究强调了益生菌在MD中的潜在生理益处，可能是通过VN刺激介导的。了解这些机制可能会为MD管理带来新的治疗方法。
