Abstract/Summary

Restricting anorexia nervosa is characterised by restriction of dietary intake typically leading to low body weight and a distorted perception of body shape. AN individuals might suffer from problems with depression, anxiety and gastrointestinal problems. Significant difference in gut microbiota composition have been observed in individuals with AN, which is highly likely as the diet impacts greatly on this microbial community. There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome affects psychopathologies, such as anxiety and depression. Pre and probiotic intervention, targeting the gut brain axis (GBA) have been postulated to modify microbiota and improve mental well-being and gut symptoms, but there is currently a lack of evidence for such approaches in AN. The aim of this project was to explore the effects of NT precursors, AN restrictive diet, pre and probiotics on GBA related AN in in vitro model systems. NT precursors fermented with faecal slurry enhanced microbial community, whist modulating NTs and SCFAs concentrations. Psychobiotics showed that both pre and probiotics may help to enhance beneficial bacterial community, NTs and SCFAs production. Furthermore, an anorexic model was created, based on dietary patterns to investigate how these drastic nutrient changes affect the microbial community using a continuous three-stage colonic fermentation model system. Compared to healthy model, AN conditions drove significant changes in microbiome, SCFA and NTs, effects that were largely resorted by, psychobiotics. Results suggest that supplementation with pre and probiotics could be used to restore unbalanced microbial induced by drastic changes, whilst supporting GBA.