Scientists investigated how two species of bacteria from the human gut, Bacteroides cellulosilyticus and Bacteroides xylanisolvens, influence the immune system and brain function. The findings showed that these bacteria can reduce inflammation in intestinal cells and lower the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules that damage the gut barrier. In the nematode C. elegans, the bacteria affected genes associated with neural signaling, including GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, suggesting that they may modulate brain functions. Altogether, these results indicate that these gut bacteria may play an important role in communication between the gut and the brain.

This work was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy. The research was carried out within the NextGenBiotics project, funded under the IDEAS program by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.