The gut microbiota and its role in depression. Systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62305/biosana.v6i1.1045Keywords:
gut microbiota; depression; probioticAbstract
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the human body through the gut-brain axis, by modulating neurotransmitters involved in the control and regulation of signals in the central nervous system. Objective: This research was conducted to determine the specific association between microbiome imbalance and pathophysiological alterations related to the development and incidence of depressive disorders. Methodology: A PRISMA methodology was implemented; recognized scientific databases such as PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science were reviewed. Initially, 1399 articles were examined, but only 33 met the scientific rigor. Results: A literature review of 33 articles meeting the inclusion criteria was performed. The objective was to determine how alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiota impact the gut-brain axis. Discussion: The gut-brain axis is the main pathway for interaction between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. This axis is a bidirectional communication network that integrates neuronal, endocrine, immunological, and metabolic signals. Conclusions: The evidence synthesized in this review confirms a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and depression via the gut-brain axis: dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability and neuroinflammation, dysregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and reduces key metabolites/neurotransmitters.
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