The Gut–Brain Axis as a Modulator of Brain Homeostasis: Probiotic Interventions in Experimental Models of Inflammation and Early-Life Stress
Dr Stefano Farioli Vecchioli
Italian National Research Council, Rome
Italy
The Gut–Brain Axis as a Modulator of Brain Homeostasis: Probiotic Interventions in Experimental Models of Inflammation and Early-Life Stress
The gut–brain axis represents a bidirectional communication network through which intestinal microbiota, immune signalling and microbial metabolites influence brain function and plasticity. Growing evidence suggests that alterations in gut homeostasis may contribute to neuroinflammation, behavioral disturbances and impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis, highlighting the potential of microbiota-targeted interventions as a strategy to preserve brain health.
Our research investigates the neuroprotective and pro-neurogenic properties of probiotic interventions in experimental mouse models of systemic inflammation and early-life stress. In a model of LPS-induced acute inflammation, we demonstrated that oral administration of a multi-strain probiotic formulation (OttaBac®) counteracts peripheral and central inflammatory responses, reinforces intestinal barrier integrity and promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis. More recently, we showed that probiotic supplementation can reverse anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors induced by postnatal maternal separation, while restoring microglial homeostasis and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. These effects were associated with changes in gut microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyrate.
Together, these findings support the concept that targeting the gut microbiota may represent a promising strategy to enhance brain resilience against inflammatory and stress-related challenges, opening new perspectives for understanding microbiota-mediated mechanisms of neuroplasticity.
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