The Role of Probiotics in Modulating Myocardial Infarction and Depression-like Symptoms: A Study on Sex-Specific Responses.

2024-11-02
Biomedicines 12(11)
- Marc-André Gagné
- Geneviève Frégeau
- Roger Godbout
- Guy Rousseau

PubMed: 39595077
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12112511

Study Design

Population: adult male and female rats
Methods: MI was induced in adult male and female rats by occluding the left anterior coronary artery for 30 min, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Probiotics were administered via drinking water for at least two weeks before ischemia. Infarct size, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), estradiol levels, and intestinal permeability were measured, and two weeks after, MI subgroups of rats were tested for depression-like behaviours.

Background/objectives

This study explores the effects of two probiotics, Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175, on myocardial infarction (MI) and associated depression-like behaviours, with a focus on sex differences.

Methods

MI was induced in adult male and female rats by occluding the left anterior coronary artery for 30 min, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Probiotics were administered via drinking water for at least two weeks before ischemia. Infarct size, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), estradiol levels, and intestinal permeability were then measured. Two weeks after, MI subgroups of rats were tested for depression-like behaviours.

Results

We found a significant interaction between sex and probiotics in relation to infarct size. Probiotics significantly reduced the infarct size compared to the vehicle group in female rats but not in males. Probiotics increased the plasma estradiol levels and reduced the CRP concentrations in females, suggesting anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Probiotics significantly increased intestinal resistance following MI in males only, suggesting sex-specific physiological responses to treatment. Probiotics enhanced social interaction in males with MI but not in females. Similarly, in the forced swim test, probiotics reduced immobility in males with MI but increased it in females, further underscoring the sex-dependent effects of probiotics.

Conclusions

This study reports cardioprotective effects of probiotics upon MI in female rats, while benefits in male rats were rather at the behavioural level. These results highlight distinct physiological and behavioural responses between sexes, emphasizing the need to account for sex differences in future tests of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment for MI.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175→Improved Depressive-Like Behaviours
Probiotics enhanced social interaction in males with MI but not in females. Similarly, in the forced swim test, probiotics reduced immobility in males with MI but increased it in females.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175→Improved Intestinal Barrier Function
Probiotics significantly increased intestinal resistance following MI in males only, suggesting sex-specific physiological responses to treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175→Reduced Inflammation
Probiotics increased the plasma estradiol levels and reduced the CRP concentrations in females, suggesting anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175→Reduced Myocardial Infarct Size
Probiotics significantly reduced the infarct size compared to the vehicle group in female rats but not in males.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52→Improved Intestinal Barrier Function
Probiotics significantly increased intestinal resistance following MI in males only, suggesting sex-specific physiological responses to treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52→Improved Social Functioning
Probiotics enhanced social interaction in males with MI but not in females.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52→Reduced Depression-like Behavior
Similarly, in the forced swim test, probiotics reduced immobility in males with MI but increased it in females, further underscoring the sex-dependent effects of probiotics.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52→Reduced Inflammation
Probiotics increased the plasma estradiol levels and reduced the CRP concentrations in females, suggesting anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52→Reduced Myocardial Infarct Size
Probiotics significantly reduced the infarct size compared to the vehicle group in female rats but not in males.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate