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Table 1 Bacterial strains that affect neurotransmitter and stress hormone production- an update from Clarke et al [21]

From: Exercise-induced stress behavior, gut-microbiota-brain axis and diet: a systematic review for athletes

Molecule

Probiotic Strain, microbial metabolite

Species

Effects

Tryptophan- precursor to 5-HT

Bifidobacterium infantis

Rats

Aids in combating psychiatric disorders such as depression [84]

 

Lactobacillus johnsonii

In vitro model

Reduces serum kynurenine concentrations and IDO activity in vitro in HT-29 colonic cells, which prevents the breakdown of tryptophan [138]

Serotonin

Lactococcus lactis subsp. Cremoris (MG 1363), Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis (IL 1403), Lactobacillus plantarum (FI8595), Streptococcus thermophilus (NCFB2392), Eschericchia coli K-12, Morganella morganii (NCIMB, 10466), Klebisella pneumoniae (NCIMB, 673), Hafnia alvei (NCIMB, 11999)

In vitro model

Produce serotonin [47, 139]

 

Butyrate and acetate produced by bacteria

Mice

Induce serotonin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner by regulating the gene Tph1 that synthesizes serotonin [68]

Dopamine

Bacillus cereaus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, S. aureus, E.col, E.coli K-12, Morganella morganii (NCIMB, 10466), Klebisella pneumoniae (NCIMB, 673), Hafnia alvei (NCIMB, 11999)

In vitro model

Produce dopamine [140–142]

GABA

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB-1)

Mice

Regulates GABA receptor expression and reduced stress-induced corticosterone, anxiety and depression [143]

 

Bifidobacterium dentium DPC6333, Bifidobacterium dentium NCFB2243, B. infantis UCC35624, Bifidobacterium adolescentis DPC6044, Lactobacillus brevis DPC6108, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus subtiles, Proteus vulgaris, Lactobacillus rhamnosus YS9

Humans

Lactobacillus brevis DPC6108 was the most effective at producing GABA [8].

Cortisol

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052; Bacteroidetes longum R0175

Humans

Reduce urinary free cortisol output [133, 144]

Noradrenaline

B. mycoides, B. subtilis, P. vulgaris, S. marescens, E. coli K-12

In vitro chromatography

Regulates motility and secretions in the ENS. Elevated levels due to acute stress can cause the growth of pathogenic E. coli [140].