Supplementation with Combined Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 Across Development Reveals Sex Differences in Physiological and Behavioural Effects of Western Diet in Long-Evans Rats.

Elizabeth M Myles,Emma H Melanson,Thomas A Tompkins,Tara S Perrot,M Elizabeth O’Leary,Chad W Macpherson,Alexandra Oprea,Rylan Smith

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8101527

Elizabeth M Myles, Emma H Melanson + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8101527

Copy DOI

Journal: Microorganisms	Publication Date: Oct 5, 2020
Citations: 18	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Dalhousie University, BioPhage Pharma (Canada)

Abstract

The gut microbiome affects various physiological and psychological processes in animals and humans, and environmental influences profoundly impact its composition. Disorders such as anxiety, obesity, and inflammation have been associated with certain microbiome compositions, which may be modulated in early life. In 62 Long–Evans rats, we characterised the effects of lifelong Bifidobacterium longum R0175 and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 administration—along with Western diet exposure—on later anxiety, metabolic consequences, and inflammation. We found that the probiotic formulation altered specific anxiety-like behaviours in adulthood. We further show distinct sex differences in metabolic measures. In females, probiotic treatment increased calorie intake and leptin levels without affecting body weight. In males, the probiotic seemed to mitigate the effects of Western diet on adult weight gain and calorie intake, without altering leptin levels. The greatest inflammatory response was seen in male, Western-diet-exposed, and probiotic-treated rats, which may be related to levels of specific steroid hormones in these groups. These results suggest that early-life probiotic supplementation and diet exposure can have particular implications on adult health in a sex-dependent manner, and highlight the need for further studies to examine the health outcomes of probiotic treatment in both sexes.

Highlights

IntroductionThe microbes that inhabit the animal gut (i.e., gut microbiota) have been consistently reported to affect physiological and psychological functioning [1]
The microbes that inhabit the animal gut have been consistently reported to affect physiological and psychological functioning [1]
We present evidence that the probiotic-treated animals showed less anxiety in the behavioural testing arenas used in this study

Summary

Introduction

The microbes that inhabit the animal gut (i.e., gut microbiota) have been consistently reported to affect physiological and psychological functioning [1] These microbes—especially bacteria—have important physiological functions in the host, including helping to regulate digestion, the immune system, central nervous system, and hormone levels (see [2] for a review). The composition of the microbiota has been linked to various diseases (see [3] for a review) and is highly vulnerable to environmental exposures of the host (e.g., antibiotic use, infection) [4]. These environmental experiences can alter the microbiome in a way that promotes disease development (i.e., dysbiosis) [4]. Specific probiotic formulations have been shown to decrease the response to stress in rodent models (e.g., Companilactobacillus farciminis [15]; CEREBIOME® [16]; Lacidofil® [17]), improve anxiety symptomatology in humans and anxiety-like behaviours in rats (e.g., CEREBIOME® [18]), improve obesogenic outcomes (e.g., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum [19]; Bifidobacterium spp. [20,21]; L. helveticus R0052 [22]), and reduce the inflammatory response (e.g., B. infantis 35624 [23]; 8-strain combination probiotic [24]; 3-strain combination probiotic [25])

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion