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A species of gut bacteria could ease anxiety and diarrhea-predominant IBS
Medical Xpress • • health
Key Points:
- Researchers from Wuhan University of Science and Technology and Huazhong University of Science and Technology found that the gut bacterium Phocaeicola vulgatus may help alleviate anxiety linked to diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).
- Clinical data showed that about 35% of IBS-D patients experienced anxiety, with more severe anxiety correlating with worse IBS symptoms and abnormal activity in the amygdala, a brain region controlling fear and emotions.
- Experiments in mice demonstrated that lower levels of Phocaeicola vulgatus were associated with increased anxiety and impaired amygdala function, while supplementing the bacteria reduced anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and repairing neurons.
- The study suggests Phocaeicola vulgatus could be a novel psychobiotic treatment target for IBS-D patients with anxiety, with future research planned to explore its metabolites and develop safer postbiotic therapies.
- If confirmed in clinical trials, these findings may lead to new treatments addressing both gut and brain symptoms in IBS-D, potentially improving quality of life for affected patients.
