The impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on depression and anxiety symptoms of patients with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of psychiatric research Pub Date : 2025-05-24 DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.05.053

Reza Moshfeghinia , Hossein Nemati , Asal Ebrahimi , Dorsa Shekouh , Saeed Karami , Mohammad Mirahmadi Eraghi , Hoorad Mohagheghzadeh , Jennifer Hunter , Mehdi Pasalar

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with significant societal impact and treatment challenges. Recent research on the gut-brain axis has led to interest in probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics as potential therapeutic options for depression. This systematic review aims to evaluate their effects and provide evidence-based insights for future research and clinical practice.

Methods

Six digital databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and CINAHL complete) were examined for English-language records. Inclusion criteria involved studies assessing the impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotic on depression and anxiety in individuals with depression. The Cochrane Collaboration's instrument was employed to evaluate the risk of bias. For meta-analysis, random-effects model was favored, and statistical analysis was conducted using Stata software version 17.

Results

From initial 4407 studies 19 studies included in meta-analysis. A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving 1405 participants (882 cases and 523 controls) revealed a significant decrease in depression scores among patients receiving probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics compared to the control group (SMD: −1.76 [-2.42, −1.10]), despite high heterogeneity between studies (I²: 96.29 %). Similarly, analysis of seven studies with 481 participants (237 cases and 244 controls) showed a significant decrease in anxiety scores for those receiving these supplements (SMD: −1.60 [-2.83, −0.36]), with high heterogeneity between studies (I²: 96.90 %).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicates that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with depression. Future research should address heterogeneity in diagnosis and intervention types to better understand their efficacy.

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益生菌、益生元和合成菌对抑郁症患者抑郁和焦虑症状的影响：系统回顾和荟萃分析

抑郁症是一种普遍存在的精神健康障碍，具有重大的社会影响和治疗挑战。最近对肠-脑轴的研究引起了人们对益生菌、合成菌和益生元作为抑郁症潜在治疗选择的兴趣。本系统综述旨在评估其效果，并为未来的研究和临床实践提供循证见解。方法对Scopus、PubMed、Web of Science、Cochrane、PsycINFO、CINAHL complete等6个数字数据库进行英文检索。纳入标准包括评估益生菌、益生元和合成菌对抑郁症患者抑郁和焦虑影响的研究。采用Cochrane Collaboration的工具评估偏倚风险。meta分析采用随机效应模型，采用Stata软件17版进行统计分析。从最初的4407项研究中，有19项研究纳入了荟萃分析。一项涉及1405名参与者（882例病例和523名对照）的19项研究的荟萃分析显示，与对照组相比，服用益生菌、益生元或合成菌的患者抑郁评分显著降低（SMD: - 1.76[-2.42, - 1.10]），尽管研究之间存在高度异质性（I2: 96.29%）。同样，对481名参与者（237例病例和244例对照）的7项研究的分析显示，接受这些补充剂的人的焦虑评分显著降低（SMD: - 1.60[-2.83, - 0.36]），研究之间存在高度异质性（I2: 96.90%）。综上所述，我们的荟萃分析表明，益生菌、益生元或合成菌可显著减轻抑郁症患者的抑郁和焦虑症状。未来的研究应解决诊断和干预类型的异质性，以更好地了解其疗效。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of psychiatric research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

2.10%

发文量

622

审稿时长

130 days

期刊介绍： Founded in 1961 to report on the latest work in psychiatry and cognate disciplines, the Journal of Psychiatric Research is dedicated to innovative and timely studies of four important areas of research: (1) clinical studies of all disciplines relating to psychiatric illness, as well as normal human behaviour, including biochemical, physiological, genetic, environmental, social, psychological and epidemiological factors; (2) basic studies pertaining to psychiatry in such fields as neuropsychopharmacology, neuroendocrinology, electrophysiology, genetics, experimental psychology and epidemiology; (3) the growing application of clinical laboratory techniques in psychiatry, including imagery and spectroscopy of the brain, molecular biology and computer sciences;