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Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function in the hyperammonemia rat

Science China Life Sciences volume 57, pages327–335(2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the hyperammonemia (HA)-induced neuroinflammation and alterations in the serotonin (5-HT) system may contribute to cognitive decline and anxiety disorder during hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Probiotics that maintain immune system homeostasis and regulate the 5-HT system may be potential treatment for HA-mediated neurological disorders in HE. In this study, we tested the efficacy of probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus strain NS8 in preventing cognitive decline and anxiety-like behavior in HA rats. Chronic HA was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ammonium acetate for four weeks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. HA rats were then given Lactobacillus helveticus strain NS8 (109 CFU mL−1) in drinking water as a daily supplementation. The Morris water maze task assessed cognitive function, and the elevated plus maze test evaluated anxiety-like behavior. Neuroinflammation was assessed by measuring the inflammatory markers: inducible nitric oxide synthase, prostaglandin E2, and interleukin-1 β in the brain. 5-HT system activity was evaluated by measuring 5-HT and its metabolite, 5-HIAA, and the 5-HT precursor, tryptophan. Probiotic treatment of HA rats significantly reduced the level of inflammatory markers, decreased 5-HT metabolism, restored cognitive function and improved anxiety-like behavior. These results indicate that probiotic L. helveticus strain NS8 is beneficial for the treatment of cognitive decline and anxiety-like behavior in HA rats.

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Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Jia Luo, Tao Wang, Shan Liang, Xu Hu, Wei Li & Feng Jin

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Jia Luo, Shan Liang & Wei Li

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  1. Jia Luo
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  2. Tao Wang
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  3. Shan Liang
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  4. Xu Hu
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  5. Wei Li
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  6. Feng Jin
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Correspondence to Feng Jin.

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Luo, J., Wang, T., Liang, S. et al. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function in the hyperammonemia rat. Sci. China Life Sci. 57, 327–335 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-014-4615-4

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Keywords

  • hyperammonemia
  • probiotics
  • cognition
  • anxiety
  • neuroinflammation
  • serotonin