Do you want to have a clear and happy mind? Probiotics can help (Part Two)
Serotonin (5-HT), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a monoamine neurotransmitter and a hormone. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin transmits information between nerve cells in the brain (central nervous system) and throughout the body (peripheral nervous system). Remarkably, approximately 90% of serotonin is found in the cells of the gut, with only 10% produced in the brain.
Current research suggests that serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, anxiety, sleep, body temperature, appetite, sexual behavior, movement, cardiovascular function, and pain perception, making it an important neurotransmitter involved in the pathological changes associated with mental disorders. Its influence is particularly pronounced in the regulation of mood and sleep:
Mood: Serotonin in the brain is often referred to as the "feel-good" natural chemical, enhancing focus, emotional stability, and overall happiness. Individuals with lower levels of serotonin are more susceptible to depression, impulsive behavior, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, aggression, and violence. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders typically aim to elevate serotonin levels in the brain, such as the antidepressant fluoxetine hydrochloride.
Sleep: Serotonin, in conjunction with another neurotransmitter, dopamine, plays a crucial role in both sleep quality and duration. The brain also requires serotonin to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
It is important to note that with advancing age, the efficiency of the serotonin pathways declines due to a reduction in the number of activated serotonin receptors. Research indicates that the number of serotonin-specific receptors in the brains of individuals aged 60 compared to those aged 30 has decreased by 60%. This decline in serotonin efficacy correlates with an increased likelihood of developing depression as one ages.
Additionally, serotonin enhances memory and protects neurons from damage caused by "excitotoxic" substances. Therefore, maintaining adequate levels of serotonin is vital in preventing brain damage during the aging process.
Professional strains of 5-hydroxytryptamine-producing bacteria enhance their own "happiness capacity."
Bioyitech's Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.lactis F1-7 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X11 upregulate intestinal secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine through catecholamine signaling pathways and the secretion of short-chain fatty acids.
The tryptophan levels in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (p < 0.05). Following intervention with the KGM+F1-7 composition, levels were comparable to those of the normal group (see Figure 1).
5-HT4GPCR is a receptor protein that can sense serotonin. After administering the KGM+F1-7 composition via enema, there was a significant increase in the expression of the 5-HT4GPCR gene.
Observations indicate that X11 can significantly enhance the expression of serotonin, with the increase in SERT confirming the rise in serotonin levels within the body, thereby exerting physiological effects.
Experimental data demonstrate that both subspecies F1-7 of Bifidobacterium animalis and X11 of Lactococcus lactis can upregulate the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine and its receptors to or near normal levels.
Overall, Probiotics that can enhance endogenous "happiness factors" are safer, more cost-effective, and less psychologically traumatic compared to some traditional treatments for mood disorders; however, the concept remains relatively novel. We anticipate that large-scale controlled studies in the future will yield new insights, particularly regarding the supplementation of "happiness" probiotics in populations with suboptimal responses to standard treatments or those exhibiting drug resistance.