In a recent investigation conducted in China, researchers delved into the gut microbiota of children and teenagers suffering from depression to explore the presence of fungal species. The study compared these individuals to a group of non-depressed children and found notable differences in the gut fungal composition. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, revealed that depressed participants had higher levels of Saccharomyces and Apiotrichum fungi, while Aspergillus and Xeromyces fungi were found in lower quantities.
The gut microbiota is a complex community of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses residing in the digestive system. These microorganisms play a vital role in food digestion and are increasingly linked to overall health. Various diseases have been associated with alterations in the gut microbiota, emphasizing its potential significance in maintaining well-being. Book a microbiome test today to know more.
Advancements in genetics, biochemistry, and neuroimaging have led to the discovery of the microbiota-gut-brain axis—a bidirectional communication system between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. This axis relies on cytokines, small proteins crucial for immune system activities, along with other biomolecules such as cortisol, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and tryptophan, among others.
To explore the composition of the gut microbiota, scientists have used a technique called metagenomics to analyze stool samples. Many recent studies have investigated the connection between changes in gut bacteria and the severity of depression symptoms, as well as the link between the gut microbiota and other mental health disorders. In some studies, researchers have even attempted gut microbiota transplants to assess the potential role of microbiota composition in depression.
Led by Shao-rui Hao, the authors of the new study observed that while previous research had primarily focused on the link between gut bacteria and depression, the connection with fungal species had been comparatively overlooked. Hence, they conducted a study that specifically investigated the gut microbiota composition in children and teenagers with depression, with a particular emphasis on the presence of fungal species and their interactions with gut bacteria.
The study involved 145 participants aged between 12 and 18, diagnosed with depression and undergoing treatment at two hospitals in China. These individuals were compared to 110 healthy children and teenagers of similar age, gender, body mass index, and ethnicity, recruited through advertisements.
Fresh stool samples were collected from each participant, and DNA was extracted for analysis using the polymerase chain reaction technique to create multiple copies of the DNA for further examination. The researchers evaluated the diversity of fungal species in the samples, calculated the average relative abundance of fungi, and identified the most prevalent groups of fungal species. Additionally, they analyzed the associations between specific fungal and bacterial species.
The results indicated that the depression group predominantly exhibited moderate to severe symptoms of depression, with only two participants reporting regular tobacco smoking, and none reporting regular alcohol consumption in the month before the study.
Upon analyzing the stool samples, the researchers found that the diversity of fungal species in the gut was similar between the depression group and the healthy control group. The most common fungal groups in both groups were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
However, differences in the abundance of certain fungal species were observed between the two groups. Saccharomyces and Apiotrichum fungi were more abundant in the guts of depressed patients, while the abundance of Aspergillus and Xeromyces was reduced compared to the group of healthy children.
Furthermore, the connections between the abundances of fungi and bacterial species differed in the guts of children with depression compared to the healthy group. For instance, the abundance of Candida species of fungi was associated with higher abundances of Parasutterella but lower abundances of Bifidobacterium species in participants with depression, but not in healthy children.
Similarly, higher abundances of Aspergillus were associated with higher abundances of Prevotella but lower abundances of Bacteroides and Parasutterella in the depression group, without such associations observed in the group of healthy children and adolescents.
The study authors concluded, “We demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis in children and adolescents with depression manifests as changes in the gut fungal community structure and composition. We also found alterations in the bacterial-fungal interkingdom network, suggesting that the gut mycobiota is a potential therapeutic target for children and adolescents with depression. Targeting gut mycobiota interventions, such as probiotic, prebiotic, antifungal drugs, or fecal fungal transplantation, may prevent the psychiatric disease progression.”
While this study provides valuable insights into the microbiota-gut-brain pathway, it comes with some limitations. As an observational study, it cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, the conclusions were drawn from a single stool sample per participant, and the study did not consider the psychiatric history of the participants’ mothers. More comprehensive results may be obtained in the future through studies utilizing multiple stool samples over an extended period.
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