Lactobacillus brevis-Fermented Gamma-Aminobutyric
Acid Ameliorates Depression- and Anxiety-Like
Behaviors by Activating the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Tropomyosin
Receptor Kinase B Signaling Pathway in BALB/C Mice
posted on 2024-02-01, 16:09authored byHyeongyeong Kim, Hoon Kim, Hyung Joo Suh, Hyeon-Son Choi
This
study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus
brevis-fermented gamma-aminobutyric acid (LB-GABA)
on depressive and anxiety-like behaviors with the underlying molecular
mechanism in a chronic stress model of BALB/c mice. LB-GABA attenuates
both neuronal cell death and the increase of monoamine oxidase activity
induced by hydrogen peroxide. Behavioral tests revealed that GABA
significantly increased sucrose preference and reduced immobility
time in both tail suspension and forced swimming tests. LB-GABA increased
exploration of the open arms in the elevated plus maze and restored
activity in the open field. Moreover, LB-GABA lowered stress hormone
and inflammatory mediator levels. Mechanistically, LB-GABA increased
protein levels of BDNF and TrkB, activating downstream targets (AKT,
ERK, and CREB), crucial for neuronal survival and plasticity. Furthermore,
LB-GABA protected hippocampal neurons from stress-induced cell death
and increased serotonin and dopamine levels. Overall, LB-GABA has
the potential to alleviate stress-induced depression and anxiety-like
symptoms and neuroinflammation by activating the BDNF-TrkB signaling
pathway.