journal article·2026-02Open access

Gut Bacteria Improve Depressive Symptoms by Degrading Cortisol into Androgen

Xiong Wang, Qing Wu, Hao‐Long Zeng, Yin Shen, Hong‐Han Zhang, Jun Gong, Qi Zhang, Jia‐Zhao Xie, Da‐Wei Ye, Zi‐Yong Sun, Zhong‐Chun Liu, Li‐Ming Cheng, Di Li

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 11

Abstract

Abstract Gut microbiota may play a role in regulating the stress hormone cortisol. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of cortisol by gut microbiota are poorly understood. Here, it is found that gut microbiota degraded cortisol, and this ability is heterogeneous among individuals. Mice gavaged with gut microbiota having a low ability to degrade cortisol may be prone to developing depressive‐like behavior. The cortisol‐degrading strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa Tongji is isolated from faecal microbiota. The des‐like enzyme expressed by P. aeruginosa Tongji converts cortisol into androgen. Bacterial des‐like enzyme protects mice against depressive‐like behavior via degrading cortisol and producing androgen. The probiotic Bacillus subtilis expressing the des‐like enzyme is constructed, which protects the host against cortisol elevation. These findings suggest that bacterial des‐like enzyme may regulate cortisol and improve depression by converting cortisol into androgen.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Gut microbiota and health · Stress Responses and Cortisol · Tryptophan and brain disorders

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Laboratory Medicine Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei 430030 China

Department of Laboratory Medicine institute of translational medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430060 China

Department of Psychiatry Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation in Complex Organisms, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430060 China

Department of Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei 430030 China

Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei 430030 China

Precision Medical Center Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital) Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430015 China

Cancer Center Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China

Department of Laboratory Medicine Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei 430030 China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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