A pilot study on the effects of probiotic supplementation on neuropsychological performance and microRNA-29a-c levels in antiretroviral-treated HIV-1-infected patients

作者：Ceccarelli Giancarlo; Fratino Mariangela; Selvaggi Carla; Giustini Noemi; Serafino Sara; Schietroma Ivan; Scheri Giuseppe Corano; Pavone Paolo; Passavanti Giulia; Fegatelli Danilo Alunni; Mezzaroma Ivano; Antonelli Guido; Vullo Vincenzo; Scagnolari Carolina; d' Ettorre Gabriella

来源：Brain and Behavior, 2017, 7(8): e00756.

DOI：10.1002/brb3.756

• HIV
• miRNA
• miRNA-29
• neuropsychological performance
• probiotics

Introduction: The gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of cognition, mood, anxiety, and pain, and can impact cognitive functions by producing neuroactive substances or releasing bacterial by-products and metabolites. No information is available on the effects of a probiotic supplementation on brain function of HIV+ subjects. In light of the above considerations, we performed a pilot study in cART-treated HIV-1-positive patients with long-term virologic suppression. The aims were to analyze the effect of high-concentration multistrain probiotic supplementation (Vivomixx (R); Visbiome (R)) on several neurocognitive abilities and to evaluate the safety of this supplementation.
Methods: To address those issues, neurocognitive performances were explored by administering neuropsychological tests; moreover, miRNA-29a-c levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to confirm the persistent undetectable levels of HIV-RNA in the central nervous system after probiotic supplementation.
Results: Our results show that the Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT) (immediate and delayed recall), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF) (copy immediate and delayed recall), phonological verbal fluency (PVF) test, Toronto alexithymia scale-20 (Tas-20), State-trait anxiety inventory Y-2 (STAY Y-2), and time and weight estimation test (STEP) scores improved significantly during the study. Moreover, we found unchanged levels, associated to high degree of individual variability, in miRNA-29 levels in CSF collected before and after probiotic supplementation.
Conclusions: In conclusion, we observed that HIV patients treated with 6 months of this probiotic supplementation appear to have an improvement in some neurocognitive functions; moreover, this approach is safe and did not modify significantly the levels of miRNA in CSF. Further studies are needed to better understand the contribution of the probiotics in modulating gut-brain-axis in HIV patients.

• 出版日期2017-8