Changes in the intestinal microbiota in patients with a major depressive episode and ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND: This study embarks on a fascinating exploration into the intricate world of gut microbiota. Our goal is to unravel distinct features within the intestinal microbiota of individuals facing the dual challenge of ulcerative colitis (UC) and a concurrent major depressive episode (MDE). Delving deeper, we are keen to unveil whether specific bacterial strains are intricately linked with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: We chose 39 patients with UC. As a control group, 37 healthy people aged 21 to 60 were chosen. A gastroenterologist confirmed the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis based on the history and physical examination. A psychiatric evaluation was carried out to determine the presence of present or past depressive illness. In addition, all participants completed the Hospital Anxiety Depressive Scale (HADS) to assess the severity of their depressive symptoms and gave informed consent for a stool sample to be collected. RESULTS: When patients with UC and a current MDE were compared to HC and UC patients without a current MDE, we discovered the following differences: a decrease in Faecalibacterium (P=0.028 and P=0.007, respectively), and Oscillospira (P<0.001 and P=0.010, respectively) and an inc rease in Proteobacteria (P=0.001 and P=0.028, respectively), Enterobacteriaceae (P=0.001 and P=0.005, respectively), Planococcaceae (P<0.001 and P=0.019, respectively), and Granulicatella (P<0.001 and P=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our studies discovered possible microbiological predictors of MDD and UC, confirming the relationship between the two conditions. Dysbiosis is present in both, as shown by a decrease in anti-inflammatory bacteria and an increase in proinflammatory bacteria. These findings, which have been validated by the literature, establish the framework for the growing interest in the development of treatments aiming at modifying the microbiota.