The effect of probiotics on stress-induced barrier dysfunction

The gut connects the environment with the internal milieu of the body and performs the function of digesting and absorbing nutrients while restricting the penetration of pathogens and/or toxins. This function is regulated by a monolayer of epithelial cells which lines the gut, forming a barrier by virtue of the tight junctions between adjacent cells. In this review, we will summarize results from models of psychological stress in rats and described the neuroimmune mechanisms by which the central nervous system affects intestinal barrier function by inducing changes in permeability. Furthermore, we review evidence that the use of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus species, prevents the development of stress-induced gut dysfunction. Further research is needed to define the precise mechanisms by which probiotics induce beneficial effects in these models.