155. Dietary prebiotics increase Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the gut and promote stress resistance

• Published in: Brain, behavior, and immunity behavior, and immunity, 2014-09, Vol.40, p.e45-e45
• Main Authors: Mika, A, Greenwood, B.N, Chichlowski, M, Borchert, D, Hulen, K.A, Berg, B.M, Paton, M, Fleshner, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0889-1591; 1090-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.06.175

Prebiotics, a form of non-digestible dietary fiber, can selectively promote the expansion of beneficial microbial species in the mammalian gut. Two common prebiotics, Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and Polydextrose (PDX), can increase Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., implicated in attenuating depressive and anxiety-like behavior and generating adaptive changes in brain circuits implicated in mood. We therefore tested whether GOS and PDX would attenuate anxiety and depressive-like behavior produced by stressor exposure. Juvenile Fisher rats (PND 24, n = 9/grp) were fed a diet containing GOS/PDX (7.0 g/kg each) for 9 and 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected after four weeks on the diet and plated on Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. specific media. Rats were then either exposed to inescapable tail shock stress (IS; 100 1.5 mA tail shocks; a stressor that reliably produces anxiety-like behavior) or remained undisturbed in their home cages (HCC). Subsequently, rats were tested for anxiety/depressive-like behavior using shock-elicited freezing and shuttle-box escape tests 24 h later. Fecal cultures confirmed that GOS/PDX increased Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. within the gut and both 9 and 4 weeks of diet containing GOS/PDX protected against the behavioral consequences of IS. In conclusion, GOS/PDX increase Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. within the gut and promote stress resistance in Juvenile Fisher rats. Supported by Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute.