Unveiling the role of acetate in probiotic-mediated promotion of intestinal serotonin production using intestinal organoids

The neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), primarily produced by intestinal enterochromaffin cells (EC), relies on Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1) for synthesis. Research suggested <em>Bifidobacterium breve</em> CCFM1025's potential in regulating <em>Tph1</em> gene expression, maintaining 5-HT levels in stressed mice, but its precise mechanisms were unclear. This study used metabolomic techniques to assess probiotic fermentation products, revealing acetate as the crucial element in Bb-CCFM1025's regulation of gut 5-HT synthesis. Further exploration correlated acetate with <em>Tph1</em> transcription in intestinal organoids. Transcriptomic methods and qRT-PCR validation demonstrated how acetate facilitated 5-HT synthesis and secretion. It unveiled that acetate orchestrates signaling pathways (PI3K-AKT, PLC-pERK, and PLC-IP3-Ca²⁺) within EC cells, enabling 5-HT production. These findings elucidate the biochemical mechanisms behind specific probiotics' effects, aiding in the targeted selection of similar beneficial strains. This study offers theoretical support for choosing probiotics with analogous functionalities based on their physiological impacts.