Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Modulates Gut Microbiota, Regulates the Levels of Neurotransmitters and Prevents CUMS-Induced Depressive-like Behavior in Mice.

Abstract

SCOPE\nDepression is the leading cause of disability around the world; however, most antidepressants have drug tolerance and serious side effects. In this study, we explored whether partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), which is a safe food that exhibits protection in a mouse model of depression.\n\n\nMETHODS AND RESULTS\nWe orally administered PHGG to mice with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in two animal experiments (prevention trial and intervention trial) to characterize the potentially protective effect of PHGG. The results in the prevention trial showed that PHGG significantly inhibited the loss of body weight, and prevented CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior in mice. The beneficial effects might be associated with PHGG modulating the gut microbiota structure and then increasing the levels of short-chain fatty acids in mice feces and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine in serum, striatum, and hippocampus. Besides, PHGG in the intervention trial was less effective than that in the prevention trial, but it might have a synergistic effect on improving depression with fluoxetine.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nOur study suggests that moderate daily intake of PHGG could contribute to relieving depressive-like behavior. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.