Associations of neurotransmitters and the gut microbiome with emotional distress in mixed type of irritable bowel syndrome

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Zahra A Barandouzi, Emory University; Joochul Lee, University of Connecticut; Maria del Carmen Rosas, University of Connecticut; Jie Chen, University of Connecticut; Wendy A Henderson, University of Connecticut; Angela R Starkweather, University of Connecticut; Xiaomei S Cong, University of Connecticut
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-01-31
• Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2022
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05756-0
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1648
• End Page: 1648
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by American Nurses Foundation and National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH-NINR) under award number: NIH-NINR P20NR016605 (PI: A.R.S; Pilot PI: X.S.C).
• Keywords: BIOGENIC-AMINES; ANXIETY; ESCHERICHIA-COLI; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Multidisciplinary Sciences; DEPRESSION; Science & Technology; DISORDERS; BACTERIA; GROWTH
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Nursing; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Evidence highlights the comorbidity between emotional distress and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through the gut-brain axis. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the associations among neurotransmitter levels and the gut microbiome profiles in persons with IBS and emotional distress. In this nested case-controlled study, emotional symptoms, including anxiety and depressive symptoms, were evaluated in 40 persons with IBS and 20 healthy controls (HC). Plasma neurotransmitters levels (serotonin and norepinephrine) and the gut microbiome profile of the collected fecal samples were examined. Emotional distress and microbiome profile were significantly different between IBS and HC groups. Lower but not significant neurotransmitters’ levels (serotonin and norepinephrine) were observed in the IBS group compared to the HC. A negative correlation was found between norepinephrine levels and alpha diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices) in the IBS group. Moreover, serotonin levels were positively associated with the abundance of Proteobacteria, and norepinephrine were positively correlated with Bacteroidetes, but negatively associated with Firmicutes phylum. The present study demonstrated alteration in the gut microbiome between persons with IBS and emotional distress compared to HC. The correlations between plasma neurotransmitters and the gut microbiome suggest that the gut microbiome may impact the regulation of neurotransmitters.