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Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
922
Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici deteriorate Enterobacteriaceae-induced depression and colitis in
Hyo-Min Jang1, Jeon-Kyung Kim1,2, Min-Kyung Joo1
1Neurobiota Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea.
Scientific Reports
|June 7, 2022
Summary
Certain gut bacteria, like Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici, and their byproducts may increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depression. Lower levels of Bifidobacterium longum showed a protective effect against these conditions in mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gut dysbiosis is linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psychiatric disorders.
- Specific bacterial populations, including Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae, are altered in IBD patients, particularly those with depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of specific bacteria (Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Cronobacter sakazakii, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidolactici) and their byproducts (LPS, EPS) on colitis and depression in mice.
- To evaluate the potential protective role of Bifidobacterium longum.
Main Methods:
- Oral gavage of specific bacterial strains and their byproducts in germ-free and specific-pathogen-free mice.
- Assessment of colitis, depression-like behaviors, neuroinflammation, and relevant biomarkers (LPS, corticosterone, IL-6).
- Evaluation of LPS translocation into the hippocampus.
Main Results:
- Enterobacteriaceae (K. oxytoca, E. coli, C. sakazakii) induced colitis and depression-like behaviors dose-dependently.
- Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici exacerbated colitis, neuroinflammation, and depression-like behaviors induced by other bacteria.
- EPS from E. faecium and P. acidolactici worsened colitis and neuroinflammation, increasing LPS translocation.
- Bifidobacterium longum or its EPS demonstrated suppressive effects.
Conclusions:
- Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici, often considered probiotics, may act as risk factors for IBD and depression due to their byproducts.
- Gut bacteria composition and their metabolites play a critical role in the pathogenesis of IBD and associated depression.

