Yi-Huan Chen1, Jie Bai1, Di Wu1, Shou-Fen Yu1, Xiao-Ling Qiang1, Hua Bai2, Hua-Ning Wang3, Zheng-Wu Peng4. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 15# Changle Road, Xi'an 710032, China. 2. Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 15# Changle Road, Xi'an 710032, China. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 15# Changle Road, Xi'an 710032, China. Electronic address: xskzhu@fmmu.edu.cn. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 15# Changle Road, Xi'an 710032, China. Electronic address: pengzw@fmmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Associations between abnormal gut microbiome compositions and anxiety-like behaviors are well established. However, it is unknown whether the gut microbiome composition is associated with the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and relief from clinical symptoms in patients. METHODS: Stool samples from 36 patients with active GAD (A-GAD group) and 24 matched healthy control subjects (HC group) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Anxiety was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and global assessments of functioning were performed at baseline and 1 month after drug treatment. RESULTS: Gut microbiome compositions were altered in A-GAD patients, with fewer operational taxonomic units and lower fecal bacterial α-diversity. Specifically, Firmicutes and Tenericutes abundances were lower in A-GAD patients, and several genera were differentially represented in the A-GAD and HC groups. The abundances of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Prevotella_9 correlated negatively with the anxiety severity and positively with anxiety reduction, whereas the abundances of Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were positively associated with anxiety severity. Sex, smoking, and alcohol intake influenced the gut microbiome composition. LIMITATIONS: The sample sizes were small and the stool samples were collected only at baseline; therefore, a causal association between changes in intestinal flora and disease remission was not established. Moreover, the effects of different drugs on gut microbiome composition were not investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Altered gut microbiome composition may contribute to GAD pathogenesis and remission.
BACKGROUND: Associations between abnormal gut microbiome compositions and anxiety-like behaviors are well established. However, it is unknown whether the gut microbiome composition is associated with the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and relief from clinical symptoms in patients. METHODS: Stool samples from 36 patients with active GAD (A-GAD group) and 24 matched healthy control subjects (HC group) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Anxiety was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and global assessments of functioning were performed at baseline and 1 month after drug treatment. RESULTS:Gut microbiome compositions were altered in A-GADpatients, with fewer operational taxonomic units and lower fecal bacterial α-diversity. Specifically, Firmicutes and Tenericutes abundances were lower in A-GADpatients, and several genera were differentially represented in the A-GAD and HC groups. The abundances of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Prevotella_9 correlated negatively with the anxiety severity and positively with anxiety reduction, whereas the abundances of Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were positively associated with anxiety severity. Sex, smoking, and alcohol intake influenced the gut microbiome composition. LIMITATIONS: The sample sizes were small and the stool samples were collected only at baseline; therefore, a causal association between changes in intestinal flora and disease remission was not established. Moreover, the effects of different drugs on gut microbiome composition were not investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Altered gut microbiome composition may contribute to GAD pathogenesis and remission.
Authors: Joseph K M Li; Lynn L Wang; Christine Y P Wong; Peter K F Chiu; Jeremy Y C Teoh; Hilda S W Kwok; Steven C H Leung; Sunny H Wong; Stephen K W Tsui; Chi-Fai Ng Journal: Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis Date: 2021-04-13 Impact factor: 5.455