Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent disease, in which one third of sufferers do not respond to antidepressants. Probiotics have the potential to be well-tolerated and cost-efficient treatment options. However, the molecular pathways of their effects are not fully elucidated yet. Based on previous literature, we assume that probiotics can positively influence inflammatory mechanisms. We aimed at analyzing the effects of probiotics on gene expression of inflammation genes as part of the randomized, placebo-controlled, multispecies probiotics PROVIT study in Graz, Austria. Fasting blood of 61 inpatients with MDD was collected before and after four weeks of probiotic intake or placebo. We analyzed the effects on gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In IL-6 we found no significant main effects for group (F(1,44) = 1.33, p = ns) nor time (F(1,44) = 0.00, p = ns), but interaction was significant (F(1,44) = 5.67, p < 0.05). The intervention group showed decreasing IL-6 gene expression levels while the placebo group showed increasing gene expression levels of IL-6. Probiotics could be a useful additional treatment in MDD, due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Results of the current study are promising, but further studies are required to investigate the beneficial effects of probiotic interventions in depressed individuals.
Highlights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 16–20%
There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), years of education, or illness duration
The query of the integrated interaction database for proteins that are interacting with the three three target genes IL-6, nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in brain tissue resulted in a brain-protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network containing target genes IL-6, NFKB1 and TNF in brain tissue resulted in a brain-PPI network containing 458
Summary
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 16–20%. Lack of energy, anhedonia, sleep disorders, changes in appetite, and cognitive deficits [1]. More than 33 million people in the European. Union and over 300 million people worldwide are affected by MDD according to the World Health. Organization (WHO) [2] but only one third respond directly to the anti-depressive medication [3]. MDD is a potentially life-threatening disease and suicide is even the second leading cause of death in 15−29-year-olds. The estimated economic burden of MDD in the European Union was €136.3 billion in 2007 due to reduced productivity and health service uptake [4]. New treatment options are crucial to help treating those affected by MDD
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