Fluoxetine attenuates the anxiolytic effects of the probiotic VSL#3 in a stress-vulnerable genetic line of aves in the chick social-separation stress test, a dual screening assay

Anxiety disorders represent one of the most common and debilitating illnesses worldwide. However, the development of novel therapeutics for anxiety disorders has lagged compared to other mental illnesses. A growing body of research suggests the gut microbiota plays a role in the etiopathology of anx...

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Published in:Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior biochemistry and behavior, 2024-12, Vol.245, p.173880, Article 173880
Main Authors: White, Stephen W., Callahan, Haylie, Smith, Sequioa J., Padilla, Felicia M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Microbiota
Panic disorder
Probiotics
Stress-vulnerability
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Summary:Anxiety disorders represent one of the most common and debilitating illnesses worldwide. However, the development of novel therapeutics for anxiety disorders has lagged compared to other mental illnesses. A growing body of research suggests the gut microbiota plays a role in the etiopathology of anxiety disorders and may, therefore, serve as a novel target for their treatment through the use of probiotics. The use of dietary supplements like probiotics is increasing and their interaction with pharmacotherapies is not well understood. Utilizing the chick social-separation stress test, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the commercially-available multi-strain probiotic found in VSL#3 for potential anxiolytic-like and/or antidepressant-like effects in the stress-vulnerable Black Australorp genetic line. A secondary aim was to evaluate the interaction between probiotics and the SSRI fluoxetine. Animals were treated with either saline, probiotics, fluoxetine, or probiotics + fluoxetine for 8 days prior to exposure to a 90-min isolation stressor that produces both a panic-like (i.e., anxiety-like) state followed by a state of behavioral despair (i.e., depression-like). The 8-day probiotic regimen produced anxiolytic-like effects but did not attenuate behavioral despair. Fluoxetine failed to significantly alter behavior in either of the two phases. Moreover, the combination of fluoxetine with probiotics attenuated the anxiolytic-like effects of probiotics. The fluoxetine + probiotics combination had no effect on behavioral despair. The results of the current study align with other preclinical studies and some clinical trials suggesting probiotics may offer beneficial effects on anxiety. Investigations examining the anxiolytic-like mechanism of probiotics are needed before any conclusions can be made. Additionally, as the use of probiotics becomes more popular, research on the interactions between probiotic-microbiota and psychotropic medications is necessary. •The gut microbiota influences mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.•Probiotics are living microorganisms that convey health benefits to the host.•The chick social separation stress paradigm is useful as a dual screening assay.•An 8-day regimen of probiotics produced anxiolytic-like effects in the model.•Co-administration of fluoxetine prevented the anxiolytic-like effects of probiotics.
ISSN:0091-3057
1873-5177
1873-5177
DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173880