1-Kestose Prevents Psychiatric-Like Behavior by Enhancing Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Psychiatric disorders are linked to gut health.
• Prebiotics may prevent psychiatric disorders.
• Effects of 1-kestose on psychiatric disorders are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate if 1-kestose prevents social isolation-induced abnormal behaviors.
• Elucidate the mechanisms behind kestose's preventive effects.

Main Methods:

• Mice were subjected to social isolation (SI) or group housing (GH).
• Mice received either a normal diet or a 5% 1-kestose diet for 5 weeks.
• Behavioral tests, gut microbiota analysis, and hippocampal microglial activation were assessed.

Main Results:

• 1-Kestose prevented SI-induced reductions in sociality, spatial recognition, and increased anxiety.
• Kestose suppressed hippocampal microglial activation.
• Kestose altered gut microbiota diversity, increasing Bacteroides sartorii abundance.
• Kestose increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), correlated with B. sartorii and protective effects.

Conclusions:

• 1-Kestose prevents social isolation-induced abnormal behaviors.
• Mechanisms involve modulating gut microbiota (B. sartorii) and increasing SCFAs.
• 1-Kestose shows potential as a prebiotic intervention for psychiatric disorders.