The role of probiotics in combination therapy of depressive disorders
Sevilla R. Arifdjanova, Zera Z. Abrurakhmanova, Ekaterina S. Bizulya, Lesya N. Gumenyuk, Л. Е. Сорокина, Oksana Yu. Gerbali
Abstract
Our objective was to investigate the effect of probiotic therapy on the profile of a psycho-emotional state and nature of neuro-immune-endocrine changes among patients with depressive disorders. Material and methods — The study involved 119 patients, diagnosed with a mild depressive episode (F32.0) or a moderate depressive episode (F32.1). The patients were split among two groups: Main Group, in which subjects were taking a probiotic medicine in addition to the standard therapy (Cipralex + Bac-Set Forte), and Comparison Group in which subjects were taking a placebo pill in addition to the standard therapy (Cipralex). The Control Group consisted of 30 subjects belonging to the health group 1 sensu the Order of the Ministry of Health care of the Russian Federation No. 869an of January 1, 2018. The examination included clinical and psychopathological, psychometric, and laboratory methods. Results — Patients with depressive disorders had dysfunction of cortisol and monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, along with an increased content of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in their blood. As a result of the therapy with a probiotic medicine, in combination with an antidepressant, patients with depressive disorders had a statistically significant decrease in the levels of cortisol, dopamine, IL-6, TNF-, and NO, as well as a more pronounced reduction of depression symptoms, in comparison with the indicators of the patients who underwent standard therapy. Conclusion — Use of probiotics resulted in a more pronounced improvement of neuro-immune-endocrine indicators in study subjects, with subsequent improvement of their mental state – particularly, due to less obvious symptoms of depressive disorders.