Promising Antidepressant Potential: The Role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Mental Health and Stress Response.
- 2025-02-17
- Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins 17(6)
- PubMed: 39962033
- DOI: 10.1007/s12602-025-10470-0
Study Design
- Sample size
- n = 56
- Population
- 56 male Wistar Albino rats
- Methods
- A total of 56 male Wistar Albino rats were used in control, stress, bupropion, venlafaxine, LGG, bupropion + stress, venlafaxine + stress, LGG + stress groups, n = 7 each. Changes in the body weight of the rats during the experiment were determined by weight measurement. Gene expression levels were determined by the RT-PCR method. Four different behavioral tests were performed to evaluate depressive behaviors (sucrose preference test, three-chamber sociability test, elevated plus maze test, forced swim test).
- Rigorous Journal
- Animal Study
Chronic stress is linked to changes in brain physiology and functioning, affects the central nervous system (CNS), and causes psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. In this study, antidepressant effects of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) (LGG) (15 × 108 cfu/ml/day) on the mechanisms playing a role in the pathophysiology of depression were investigated, and the results were compared with the effects of bupropion (20 mg/kg/day) and venlafaxine (20 mg/kg/day). A total of 56 male Wistar Albino rats were used in control, stress, bupropion, venlafaxine, LGG, bupropion + stress, venlafaxine + stress, LGG + stress groups, n = 7 each. Changes in the body weight of the rats during the experiment were determined by weight measurement. Gene expression levels were determined by the RT-PCR method. Four different behavioral tests were performed to evaluate depressive behaviors (sucrose preference test, three-chamber sociability test (social interaction test), elevated plus maze test, forced swim test). LGG treatment was effective in reducing depressive-like behaviors, increased BDNF level, 5-HT1A, DRD1, ADRA-2A, GABA-A α1, CNR1 expression levels in the hippocampus and NOD1 receptor expression level in the small intestine (p < 0.05), and also decreased neurodegeneration level, glial cell activity, and intestinal permeability in depressed rats. As a result, it was revealed in this study for the first time that the LGG probiotic bacterium has antidepressant properties and was found to be more effective than the antidepressant drugs bupropion and venlafaxine. Our results suggest that LGG is a potential psychobiotic bacterium and can be useful to treat depression. It may be an effective and useful option in combating depression.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Dose | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG | — | Delayed Neurodegeneration | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourcealso decreased neurodegeneration level, glial cell activity, and intestinal permeability in depressed rats |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG | — | Improved Intestinal Barrier Function | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourcealso decreased neurodegeneration level, glial cell activity, and intestinal permeability in depressed rats |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG | — | Improved Stress Response | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourceLGG treatment was effective in reducing depressive-like behaviors... and was found to be more effective than the antidepressant drugs bupropion and venlafaxine |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG | — | Increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourceincreased BDNF level, 5-HT1A, DRD1, ADRA-2A, GABA-A α1, CNR1 expression levels in the hippocampus |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG | — | Reduced Depression-like Behavior | Beneficial | Large | View sourceLGG treatment was effective in reducing depressive-like behaviors |