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).
Evidence map6 cited passagesInspect provenance +
Testosterone/oxytocin: L. reuteri supplementation increases testosterone and oxytocin levels in animal models, with implications for male fertility and social behavior.
Spermatogenesis protection: Protects against ferroptosis-mediated testicular damage.
Thyroid: Part of the probiotic species affecting thyroid hormone metabolism.
Schizophrenia RCT: L. reuteri-containing probiotic + vitamin D improved metabolic parameters in schizophrenia patients.
ASD: Reviewed as potential gut-brain axis intervention.
Reproductive health: Discussed in FMT for female reproductive tract diseases.
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]Jin 2023 — Gut Metabolite 3-HPAA Rejuvenates Spermatogenic Dysfunction in Aged Mice through GPX4-Mediated FerroptosisZirun Jin, Yuzhuo Yang, Yalei Cao et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓
Spermatogenesis protection: Protects against ferroptosis-mediated testicular damage.[1]Jin 2023 — Gut Metabolite 3-HPAA Rejuvenates Spermatogenic Dysfunction in Aged Mice through GPX4-Mediated FerroptosisZirun Jin, Yuzhuo Yang, Yalei Cao et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓ Thyroid: Part of the probiotic species affecting thyroid hormone metabolism.[2]Docimo et al. 2020 — The Human Microbiota in Endocrinology: Implications for Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prognosis in Thyroid DiseasesDocimo G, Cangiano A, Romano RM et al. · 2020Open reference 2 ↓
Clinical Evidence#
Schizophrenia RCT: L. reuteri-containing probiotic + vitamin D improved metabolic parameters in schizophrenia patients.[3]Clinical and Metabolic Response to Vitamin D Plus Probiotic in Schizophrenia PatientsGhaderi A, Banafshe HR, Mirhosseini N et al. · 2019Open reference 3 ↓ ASD: Reviewed as potential gut-brain axis intervention.[4]Feng 2023 — Probiotics in Treatment of ASD: Gut-Brain Axis PerspectivesPengya Feng, Shuai Zhao, Yangyang Zhang et al. · 2023Open reference 4 ↓
Reproductive health: Discussed in FMT for female reproductive tract diseases.[5]Quaranta 2019 — FMT as a Potential Tool for Female Reproductive Tract Diseases (Review)Georgina Quaranta, Mauro Pittiruti, Brunella Posteraro et al. · 2019Open reference 5 ↓
Cross-References#
- Lactobacillus—genus page
- GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)—GABA-producing species
- Gut-Brain Axis—neuroactive metabolite producer
- Serotonin—complementary gut-brain mediator
- Ferroptosis—protection against testicular ferroptosis
References 6
Numbered by first appearance in the article, then reconciled with its declared source list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3
Ghaderi A, Banafshe HR, Mirhosseini N et al. (2019). Clinical and Metabolic Response to Vitamin D Plus Probiotic in Schizophrenia Patients. BMC Psychiatry.
- 4
Pengya Feng, Shuai Zhao, Yangyang Zhang et al. (2023). Feng 2023 — Probiotics in Treatment of ASD: Gut-Brain Axis Perspectives. Frontiers in Microbiology.
- 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.
- 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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