Saccharomyces boulardii ameliorates gut dysbiosis associated cognitive decline

Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast is well prescribed for various gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by gut dysbiosis such as inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial diarrhea and antibiotic associated diarrhea. Gut dysbiosis has been associated with central nervous system via gut brain axis primarily implied in the modulation of psychiatric conditions. In the current study we use Saccharomyces boulardii as a therapeutic agent against gut dysbiosis associated cognitive decline. In mice, gut dysbiosis was induced by oral Ampicillin Na (250 mg/kg twice-daily) for 14 days. While in the treatment group S. boulardii (90 mg/kg once a day) was administered orally for 21 days along with 14 days of antibiotic treatment. Gene expression studies revealed antibiotic mediated decrease in the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Firmicutes and Clostridium which were restored by S. boulardii treatment. Cognitive behavioral studies showed a parallel reduction in fear conditioning, spatial as well as recognition memory which were reversed upon S. boulardii treatment in these animals. S. boulardii treatment reduced myeloperoxidase enzyme, an inflammatory marker, in colon as well as brain which was increased after antibiotic administration. Similarly, S. boulardii reduced the brain acetylcholine esterase, oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines which were altered due to antibiotic treatment. S. boulardii treatment also protected hippocampal neuronal damage and restored villus length and crypt depth thus normalizing gut permeability in antibiotic treated animals. Hence, we conclude that S. boulardii prevented antibiotic associated gut dysbiosis leading to reduced intestinal and brain inflammation and oxidative stress thus preventing hippocampal neuronal damage and eventually reversing gut dysbiosis associate cognitive decline in mice.