Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Major Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #gastrointestinal-microbiome #major-depressive-disorder #probiotics #diet

Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Major Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review

Ng et al., 2023 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Ng Qin Xiang, Lim Yu Liang, ... Liew Tau Ming. Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Major Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2023-Mar-10;15(6). doi:10.3390/nu15061351

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence on the beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation for patients with depressive disorders. However, prior reviews on the topic have largely focused on clinical effectiveness with limited emphasis on the underlying mechanisms of action and effects of probiotics on gut microbiota. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search of Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library using combinations of the key words, ("depress" OR "MDD" OR "suicide"), ("probiotic" OR "Lactobacillus" OR "Bifidobacterium") AND ("gut" OR "gut micr" OR "microbiota"), as well as grey literature was performed. We found seven clinical trials involving patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The small number of studies and heterogeneous sources of data precluded meta-analysis. Most trials (other than one open-label trial) had a low-to-moderate risk of bias, which was largely due to a lack of control for the effects of diet on gut microbiota. Probiotic supplementation yielded only modest effects on depressive symptoms and there were no consistent effects on gut microbiota diversity, and in most instances, no significant alterations in gut microbiota composition were observed after four to eight weeks of probiotic intervention. There is also a lack of systematic reporting on adverse events and no good longer-term data. Patients with MDD may require a longer time to show clinical improvement and the microbial host environment may also need longer than eight weeks to produce significant microbiota alterations. To advance this field, further larger-scale and longer-term studies are required.

Key Findings

To advance this field, further larger-scale and longer-term studies are required.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population depressive disorders
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Probiotics
  • Diet
  • Microbiota

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09