Caffeine plays a prevention role in stress-induced depression by modulating gut-brain axis function

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Caffeine consumption shows an inverse relationship with depression in epidemiological studies.
• Caffeine influences gut microbiota composition.
• The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development of depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of prophylactic caffeine use in preventing depression.
• To examine the effects of caffeine on the gut-brain axis in a depression model.

Main Methods:

• Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
• Groups included control, CUS, and CUS with caffeine (CAF) administration.
• Behavioral tests, gut-brain axis molecule analysis, and gut microbiota profiling were performed.

Main Results:

• Caffeine intervention (CAF group) prevented stress-induced behavioral changes like reduced sucrose preference and increased immobility.
• CAF group maintained intestinal barrier integrity (ZO-1, claudin-1, MUC2) and normalized plasma/hippocampal inflammatory markers (LPS, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, AC, BDNF).
• Caffeine prevented stress-induced alterations in gut microbiota composition, with sucrose preference correlating to specific bacterial genera.

Conclusions:

• Early caffeine intervention may serve as a prophylactic measure against depression.
• Caffeine exerts its antidepressant effects by modulating gut microbiota, enhancing intestinal barrier function, and reducing neuroinflammation.