Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
The Effect of Pro-/Synbiotic Supplementation on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Publisher Pubmed



Foshati S1 ; Akhlaghi M2 ; Babajafari S3
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  3. 3. Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Source: Food and Function Published:2022


Abstract

There is growing interest in supplementation with pro-/synbiotics for brain and mental health. Animal studies have reported that pro-/synbiotic administration can increase the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key regulator of neuronal function. Nevertheless, the results obtained from human studies are inconsistent and conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the impact of pro-/synbiotic supplementation on BDNF levels. Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched up to July 10, 2022 to find eligible RCTs. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed for BDNF using a random-effects model. In the present study, 10 RCTs with 12 treatment arms consisting of 652 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed that supplementation with pro-/synbiotics significantly increased BDNF concentrations in comparison with the placebo (WMD: 0.20 ng mL−1, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.34, I2 = 86.6%). Moreover, subgroup analysis showed that the target population, ethnicity and the mean age of participants, the number and type of probiotic strains, administration form, and the dose and duration of pro-/synbiotic supplementation were the potential sources of heterogeneity between RCTs. In conclusion, pro-/synbiotic administration can be considered as a BDNF enhancer and a possible brain booster. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Can Psychobiotics Administration Influence Behavioral Responses and Physiological Stress in Healthy Rats?, Pharmaceutical Sciences (2022)
2. Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Bdnf Concentrations and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Behavioural Brain Research (2023)
3. Ultra-Processed Foods Intake in Relation to Metabolic Health Status, Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Adropin Levels in Adults, Nutrition Journal (2024)
4. Adherence to Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet in Relation to Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentrations and Metabolic Health Status in Adults, Current Developments in Nutrition (2024)
5. Dietary Intake of Methyl Donor Nutrients in Relation to Metabolic Health Status, Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Adropin, Clinical Nutrition (2024)
6. The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, Brain and Behavior (2025)
7. A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Probiotic Administration on Age-Related Sarcopenia, Food Science and Nutrition (2023)
8. Short- and Long-Term Effects of Capsaicin Supplementation on Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials, Food and Function (2021)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Gholamreza Askari (10)
Mohammad Hossein Rouhani (8)
Other Related Docs
9. Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on Severity of Depression and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Randomized, Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial, International Journal of Food Properties (2020)
10. The Effect of Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Extract Supplementation on Flow-Mediated Dilation, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials With Duration- and Dose-Response Analysis, Pharmacological Research (2022)
11. The Effects of Supplementation With Probiotic on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Adult Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials, Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins (2020)
12. Effects of Synbiotic Consumption on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials, European Journal of Nutrition (2020)
13. Efficacy of Synbiotic Supplementation in Obesity Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2020)
14. Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Anthropometric and Metabolic Characteristics in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, Clinical Nutrition (2021)
15. The Effect of Grape Seed Extract Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials, International Journal of Clinical Practice (2021)
16. The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Fatigue Management and Mental Health Status in Levothyroxine-Treated Patients With Hypothyroidism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Study, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2020)
17. Exercise-Induced Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Regulation in the Brain Dysfunctions; [Effet De L'exercice Physique Sur Le Facteur Neurotrophique Derive Du Cerveau Dans Le Dysfonctionnement Cerebral], Science and Sports (2023)
18. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Association Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Type 2 Diabetes and Glycemic Profile, Scientific Reports (2021)
19. The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Some Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Children: A Randomized Triple-Masked Controlled Trial, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (2013)
20. Nutritional Strategies in Major Depression Disorder: From Ketogenic Diet to Modulation of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis, Molecular Neurobiology (2025)
21. Serum and Plasma Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Individuals With Eating Disorders (Eds): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of Eating Disorders (2022)
22. The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Clinical Symptoms in Women With Migraine: A Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Randomized Trial, Journal of Functional Foods (2021)
23. Appetite Sensation Improvement by Synbiotic Supplementation in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Food Science and Nutrition (2024)
24. The Gut–Brain Axis and the Impact of Probiotics on Symptoms of Depression: A Review of the Evidence, Gastrointestinal Nursing (2022)
25. Effect of Synbiotics and Probiotics Supplementation on Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, Clinical Nutrition (2021)
26. The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Thyroid Function and Inflammation in Hypothyroid Patients: A Randomized, Double‑Blind, Placebo‑Controlled Trial, Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2020)
27. Effects of Probiotic and Vitamin D Co-Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms, Mental Health, and Inflammation in Adult Patients With Migraine Headache: A Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial, BMC Medicine (2024)
28. Efficacy of Synbiotic Interventions on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2022)
29. Effects of Synbiotics Supplementation on Anthropometric and Lipid Profile Parameters: Finding From an Umbrella Meta-Analysis, Frontiers in Nutrition (2023)
30. The Role of Probiotic Supplementation in Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults: An Umbrella Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Inflammopharmacology (2023)
31. The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Meta-Analysis, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology (2021)
32. The Effects of Wheat Germ Consumption on Mental Health and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Nutritional Neuroscience (2022)
33. Effect of Multispecies Probiotic Supplements on Metabolic Profiles, Hs-Crp, and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism (2013)
34. Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis: Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Symptoms in Functional Dyspepsia, Journal of Functional Foods (2020)
35. Effect of Infant Formula Supplemented With Prebiotics and Probiotics on Incidence of Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2021)
36. Nigella Sativa Extract in the Treatment of Depression and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) Levels, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2022)
37. Anti-Inflammatory-Antioxidant Modifications and Synbiotics Improved Health-Related Conditions in Patients With Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Center, Randomized Clinical Trial, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2023)
38. The Effect of Probiotics on Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, European Journal of Nutrition (2020)
39. The Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation on Anthropometric Indices, Appetite, and Constipation in People With Hypothyroidism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Phytotherapy Research (2020)
40. The Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotic Supplementation on Glucose and Insulin Metabolism in Adults With Prediabetes: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial, Acta Diabetologica (2018)
41. Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Disease Progression, Depression, General Health, and Anthropometric Measurements in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, International Journal of Clinical Practice (2021)
42. The Effects of Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Synbiotic Supplementation on Blood Parameters of Renal Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, Nutrition (2018)
43. Probiotics and the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: An Update, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (2022)
44. Effects of Probiotics on Salivary Cytokines and Immunoglobulines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Clinical Trials, Scientific Reports (2020)
45. Probiotic Consumption and Inflammatory Markers in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Food Properties (2020)
46. Associations Between Dietary Intake of B-Vitamins and Psychological Disorders Among Iranian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study, Public Health Nutrition (2021)
47. Nutrient Patterns in Relation to Metabolic Health Status and Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) and Adropin in Adults, Scientific Reports (2024)
48. Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation on Migraine Characteristics and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Women With Migraine: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial, Pharmacological Research (2021)
49. Potential of Favorable Effects of Probiotics Fermented Milk Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Food Properties (2020)
50. Medication Adherence With Polypill in Cardiovascular Disease and High-Risk Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Involving 7364 Participants, Current Problems in Cardiology (2024)