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Assessment of psychotropic-like properties of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in rats and human subjects

  • 2010-10-26
  • British Journal of Nutrition 105(5)
    • M. Messaoudi
    • Robert Lalonde
    • Nicolas Violle
    • H. Javelot
    • D. Desor
    • A. Nejdi
    • J. Bisson
    • C. Rougeot
    • M. Pichelin
    • M. Cazaubiel
    • J-M Cazaubiel

Abstract

In a previous clinical study, a probiotic formulation (PF) consisting of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 (PF) decreased stress-induced gastrointestinal discomfort. Emerging evidence of a role for gut microbiota on central nervous system functions therefore suggests that oral intake of probiotics may have beneficial consequences on mood and psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic-like activity of PF in rats, and its possible effects on anxiety, depression, stress and coping strategies in healthy human volunteers. In the preclinical study, rats were daily administered PF for 2 weeks and subsequently tested in the conditioned defensive burying test, a screening model for anti-anxiety agents. In the clinical trial, volunteers participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised parallel group study with PF administered for 30 d and assessed with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-90), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perceived Stress Scale, the Coping Checklist (CCL) and 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC). Daily subchronic administration of PF significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviour in rats (P < 0·05) and alleviated psychological distress in volunteers, as measured particularly by the HSCL-90 scale (global severity index, P < 0·05; somatisation, P < 0·05; depression, P < 0·05; and anger-hostility, P < 0·05), the HADS (HADS global score, P < 0·05; and HADS-anxiety, P < 0·06), and by the CCL (problem solving, P < 0·05) and the UFC level (P < 0·05). L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175 taken in combination display anxiolytic-like activity in rats and beneficial psychological effects in healthy human volunteers.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Bifidobacterium longum BI-05Improved Problem-Solving SkillsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium longum BI-05Reduced Anxiety LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium longum BI-05Reduced Anxiety SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium longum BI-05Reduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium longum BI-05Reduced Urinary Free Cortisol LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticusImproved Coping StrategiesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticusImproved Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticusReduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticusReduced Anxiety LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticusReduced Stress Hormone LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128Improved Coping StrategiesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128Reduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128Reduced Anxiety LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128Reduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128Reduced Urinary Free Cortisol LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus R0052Reduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus R0052Reduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus R0052Reduced Subjective Stress LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Improved Coping StrategiesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Reduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Reduced HADS Global ScoreBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Reduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Reduced Urinary Free Cortisol LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 MEImproved Coping StrategiesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 MEReduced Anxiety LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 MEReduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 MEReduced Stress Hormone LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52NDImproved Coping StrategiesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52NDReduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52NDReduced Anxiety LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52NDReduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52NDReduced Urinary Free Cortisol LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus VPro 13Reduced AnxietyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus VPro 13Reduced Anxiety-like BehaviorBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus VPro 13Reduced Cortisol LevelsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus VPro 13Reduced Psychological DistressBeneficial
Moderate
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