Premium
Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I‐745 modulates the microbiota–gut–brain axis in a humanized mouse model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Author(s) -
Constante Marco,
De Palma Giada,
Lu Jun,
Jury Jennifer,
Rondeau Liam,
Caminero Alberto,
Collins Stephen M.,
Verdu Elena F.,
Bercik Premysl
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.13985
Subject(s) - irritable bowel syndrome , saccharomyces boulardii , gut flora , probiotic , gut–brain axis , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , immunology , medicine , gastroenterology , bacteria , genetics
Abstract Background Gnotobiotic mice colonized with microbiota from patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and comorbid anxiety (IBS+A) display gut dysfunction and anxiety‐like behavior compared to mice colonized with microbiota from healthy volunteers. Using this model, we tested the therapeutic potential of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii strain CNCM I‐745 ( S . bou ) and investigated underlying mechanisms. Methods Germ‐free Swiss Webster mice were colonized with fecal microbiota from an IBS+A patient or a healthy control (HC). Three weeks later, mice were gavaged daily with S. boulardii or placebo for two weeks. Anxiety‐like behavior (light preference and step‐down tests), gastrointestinal transit, and permeability were assessed. After sacrifice, samples were taken for gene expression by NanoString and qRT‐PCR, microbiota 16S rRNA profiling, and indole quantification. Key Results Mice colonized with IBS+A microbiota developed faster gastrointestinal transit and anxiety‐like behavior (longer step‐down latency) compared to mice with HC microbiota. S . bou administration normalized gastrointestinal transit and anxiety‐like behavior in mice with IBS+A microbiota. Step‐down latency correlated with colonic Trpv1 expression and was associated with altered microbiota profile and increased Indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) levels. Conclusions & Inferences Treatment with S. bou improves gastrointestinal motility and anxiety‐like behavior in mice with IBS+A microbiota. Putative mechanisms include effects on pain pathways, direct modulation of the microbiota, and indole production by commensal bacteria.