Analysis from the College of Gothenburg, Sweden, clarifies the complicated interplay between intestine micro organism and IBS. Experiments exhibit that intestine micro organism can produce the essential substance serotonin. The discovering could result in new future therapies.
IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a standard gastrointestinal dysfunction, extra frequent, in girls, with signs akin to belly ache, constipation or diarrhea. The reason for the illness is just not clear, however the intestinal setting together with the intestine microbiota and serotonin look like essential components.
Serotonin is greatest often called a neurotransmitter within the mind, however over 90 p.c of the physique’s serotonin is produced within the intestine, the place it controls bowel actions by way of the enteric nervous system, generally known as the “gut-brain”.
Earlier analysis has proven that the micro organism within the intestine, the intestine microbiota, impacts how a lot serotonin is produced by the host, however till now it has been unclear whether or not intestine micro organism themselves can type biologically lively serotonin.
Higher bowel perform
Within the present research, printed within the journal Cell Reviews, the researchers have recognized two micro organism that collectively can produce serotonin: Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus ruminis.
When the micro organism had been launched into germ-free mice with serotonin deficiency, the degrees of serotonin within the intestine elevated, as did the density of nerve cells within the colon. The micro organism additionally normalized the intestinal transit time.
“It’s extremely fascinating how the intestine micro organism can produce bioactive signaling molecules that have an effect on well being”, says Fredrik Bäckhed, Professor of molecular drugs at Sahlgrenska Academy on the College of Gothenburg, and one of many main authors of the research.
New remedy choices
The researchers had been additionally in a position to see that individuals with IBS had decrease ranges of one of many micro organism (L. mucosae) of their stool in comparison with wholesome people, and that this bacterium additionally has the enzyme required for serotonin manufacturing.
Our outcomes point out that sure intestinal micro organism can produce bioactive serotonin and thus play an essential function in intestinal well being and open new avenues for the remedy of useful gastrointestinal issues akin to IBS.”
Magnus Simrén, professor of medical gastroenterology, Sahlgrenska Academy, College of Gothenburg
“Our findings point out that intestinal micro organism can type signaling substances akin to serotonin, which could be the key to understanding how the gut and its inhabitants can have an effect on our mind and the habits,” concludes Fredrik Bäckhed.
Supply:
Journal reference:
Moretti, C. H., et al. (2025). Identification of human intestine micro organism that produce bioactive serotonin and promote colonic innervation. Cell Reviews. doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116434