A groundbreaking study has revealed the critical role of gut bacteria in regulating stress responses through interactions with the body’s circadian rhythm. The findings pave the way for the development of new microbial-based drugs to help people better manage stress-related mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, which are often linked to changes in circadian and sleep cycles.
This groundbreaking study from University College Cork and APC Microbiome Ireland, a Research Ireland centre, provides strong evidence that the trillions of microorganisms present in the gut modulate the body’s hormonal responses to stress in a time-dependent manner, allowing for targeting. Opens the door to new therapeutic approaches. Gut-brain axis.
Role of gut microbiota in circadian-driven stress responses.
Published in Cell Metabolism, this study highlights the complex relationship between the gut microbiota and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system. Research shows that gut microbiota depletion leads to hyperactivation of the HPA-axis in a time-of-day specific manner, resulting in changes in stress and circadian response areas of the brain, resulting in altered stress response throughout the day.
The study identifies specific gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus strains (Limolactobacillus reuteri) as key effectors of this circadian-regulated stress mechanism. l. reuteri emerged as a candidate strain that regulates glucocorticoid secretion (stress hormone), linking the natural diurnal oscillations of the microbiota with the altered stress response.
This unprecedented discovery opens new possibilities for psychological interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes by targeting gut bacteria that influence stress regulation. With modern lifestyles increasingly disrupting circadian rhythms through irregular sleep patterns, high stress and poor diet, this research underlines the importance of the gut microbiota in maintaining the body’s natural stress-regulation processes.
Dominant gut bacteria and new therapeutic potential
Speaking about the findings, lead investigator Professor John Cryan said, “Our research has revealed a significant relationship between the gut microbiota and how the brain responds to stress in a time-specific manner. The gut microbiome is just as important as digestion. And does not regulate metabolism; it plays a key role in how we respond to stress, and this regulation follows a precise circadian rhythm, these findings underscore the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome. , especially for people living in today’s stressful and fast-paced environment.
First author Dr. Gabriele Tofani said, “Our findings not only underline the importance of gut microbiota composition, but also shed light on how the gut microbiome changes throughout the day by showing that gut bacteria influence how By studying how the body handles stress throughout the day, we are helping to understand the mechanisms through which the microbiota shapes our responses to the environment around us. Our work also shows that the gut microbiota and “Discovering this relationship between circadian rhythms will be important in the development of microbiota-based treatments for stress-related disorders.”
Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland, said, “This study is a significant leap forward in our understanding of how the microbiome shapes our mental health.” “At APC, we are committed to uncovering the many ways in which our gut microbiome impacts human health, and this research provides important insights into how targeting specific bacteria can improve stress-related conditions. The potential to manage or even prevent mental health through microbiome-based interventions is very real, and this study takes us one step closer to that goal.”
