Lactobacillus Reuteri

Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the most extensively studied probiotic species, notable for its production of neuroactive metabolites (GABA, histamine) and its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (testosterone, oxytocin).

Key Functions

  • GABA production: Possesses glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), producing GABA from dietary glutamate — relevant to the gut brain axis in anxiety and depression.
  • Histamine production: Produces histamine via histidine decarboxylase; at physiological levels, histamine acts as an immunomodulator suppressing TNF-alpha via H2 receptors.
  • Testosterone/oxytocin: L. reuteri supplementation increases testosterone and oxytocin levels in animal models, with implications for male fertility and social behavior [1].
  • Spermatogenesis protection: Protects against ferroptosis-mediated testicular damage [1].
  • Thyroid: Part of the probiotic species affecting thyroid hormone metabolism [2].

Clinical Evidence

  • Schizophrenia RCT: L. reuteri-containing probiotic + vitamin D improved metabolic parameters in schizophrenia patients [3].
  • ASD: Reviewed as potential gut-brain axis intervention [4].
  • Reproductive health: Discussed in FMT for female reproductive tract diseases [5].

Cross-References

References (6)

  1. Zirun Jin, Yuzhuo Yang, Yalei Cao et al. (2023). Jin 2023 — Gut Metabolite 3-HPAA Rejuvenates Spermatogenic Dysfunction in Aged Mice through GPX4-Mediated Ferroptosis. Microbiome. doi:10.1186/s40168-023-01659-y
  2. Docimo G, Cangiano A, Romano RM et al. (2020). Docimo et al. 2020 — The Human Microbiota in Endocrinology: Implications for Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prognosis in Thyroid Diseases. Frontiers in Endocrinology. doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.586529
  3. Ghaderi A, Banafshe HR, Mirhosseini N et al. (2019). Clinical and Metabolic Response to Vitamin D Plus Probiotic in Schizophrenia Patients. BMC Psychiatry. doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2059-x
  4. Pengya Feng, Shuai Zhao, Yangyang Zhang et al. (2023). Feng 2023 — Probiotics in Treatment of ASD: Gut-Brain Axis Perspectives. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1123462
  5. Georgina Quaranta, Mauro Pittiruti, Brunella Posteraro et al. (2019). Quaranta 2019 — FMT as a Potential Tool for Female Reproductive Tract Diseases (Review). Frontiers in Immunology. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.02653
  6. Victoria Bell, Jorge Ferrao, Tito Fernandes (2018). Bell 2018 — Fermented Food Guidelines for Children. Journal of Pediatrics and Pediatric Medicine

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