Abstract
The mechanisms by which probiotics may influence host physiology are still incompletely understood. Microbial endocrinology, a field representing the union of microbiology, endocrinology and neurobiology, has theorized that microorganisms have the capacity to serve as neurochemical delivery vehicles [1]. According to microbial endocrinology, neurochemicals can serve as a common language between host and bacterium, enabling bidirectional communication. We report herein the first demonstration that Enterococcus sp. has the capacity to produce dopamine in a gastrointestinal-like environment when supplied with the dopamine precursor L-3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa). The results presented herein provide a means to select probiotics based on neurochemical-producing potential and suggest the possibility that probiotics containing E. faecium may serve to influence the host through dopaminergic pathways.
Highlights
Enterococci, including E. faecium and E. faecalis are natural members of the gastrointestinal flora and found in fermentation products
We recently demonstrated that a simulated intestinal medium produced by the in vitro digestion of foodstuff enables the evaluation of neurochemical production potential by constituents of the microbiome [16]
Future experiments will employ the methodology described in this report to identify E. faecium strains with demonstrated in vitro capacity to produce large amounts of dopamine to be administered to animals coupled with a food-based source of L-dopa such as Mucuna powder, to examine whether dopamine production occurs in vivo
Summary
Enterococci, including E. faecium and E. faecalis are natural members of the gastrointestinal flora and found in fermentation products. By using this media to survey various probiotic mixtures, we were able to Dopamine production in Enterococcus faecium elucidate biochemical functions not previously recognized, such as the capacity of Enterococci to convert L-dopa to dopamine.
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