A probiotic NVP1704 alleviates stress-induced sleeplessness/depression-like symptoms in mice by upregulating serotonergic and GABAergic systems and downregulating NF-κB activation.

The article investigates the effects of the probiotic NVP1704, a mixture of Lactobacillus reuteri NK33 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis NK98, on immobilization stress (IS)-induced depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness-like behaviors in mice. Oral administration of NVP1704 for five days alleviated IS-induced behavioral symptoms by decreasing sleep latency and increasing sleep duration, while upregulating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and their receptor expressions (GABA_A receptor α1 and α2 subunits, 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_1B receptors) in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus. Additionally, NVP1704 reduced neuroinflammation by suppressing NF-κB activation and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in the brain and colon, and modulated gut microbiota composition. These findings suggest that NVP1704 may mitigate stress-induced depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness through the enhancement of serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission and the attenuation of inflammatory pathways.