Gut microbiota's influence on circadian rhythms may hold the key to understanding how stress responses vary throughout the day, potentially offering new insights for treating stress-related disorders. Study: Gut microbiota regulates stress responsivity via the circadian system . Image Credit: Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism , researchers investigate the role of gut microbiota in regulating the rhythmicity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its effects on stress responses at different times of the day. How does the gut microbiota affect stress? The stress and circadian systems, while serving distinct roles, are interconnected through the HPA axis and autonomic nervous system. The stress response enables a rapid reaction to threats, whereas circadian rhythms anticipate environmental changes.
Glucocorticoids, which are hormones central to both systems, follow a daily pattern controlled by the brain’s central clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This rhythmic secretion can affect stress responses based on the time of day, with higher resilience at the circadian peak than at the trough. The gut microbiota influences brain function through the HPA axis, particularly in regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, both of which regulate stress.
Gut bacteria also undergo daily cycles that support metabolic health, and disruption of these cycles results in irregular glucocorticoid levels and impaired .
