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Galactooligosaccharides Attenuate Behavioural, Haematological and Immunological Abnormalities and Influence Gut
Jan Ruciński1, Ewelina Kurowska-Rucińska1, Dorota Myślińska1
1Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59 St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
Abstract:
The amygdala, especially its central nucleus (CeA), is one of the key brain structures regulating fear, anxiety and stress responses and is also involved in gut microbiota signal processing. Amygdala hyperactivity, as well as microbiota alterations, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study determines whether 3 weeks of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) supplementation alleviates behavioural, haematological, immunological and gut microbiota disturbances induced by long-term electrical stimulation of the CeA in rats (Stim). The unsupplemented Stim group showed locomotor hyperactivity and higher anxiety (measured with an actometer and the elevated plus maze, respectively), as well as a decrease in white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes (LYMs), red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs); an elevation of TNFα; a reduction in IL-10 concentration in plasma; and microbiota alterations as compared to the control (Sham) group. GOS supplementation alleviated all these Stim-induced adverse effects or even normalised them to the sham group level. The effect of GOS was comparable to citalopram and even more effective in WBC and PLT normalisation and IL-10 induction. The obtained results indicate the high therapeutic potential of GOS in anxiety and stress-related disorders. GOS supplementation may support conventional therapy or the prevention of PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders.
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