The study found that certain gut bacteria can produce serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate gut movement and communication between the gut and brain. Researchers found that two gut bacteria, Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus ruminis, can directly produce serotonin in the intestine by converting 5‑hydroxytryptophan into active serotonin. Experiments in germ-free mice lacking the serotonin-producing enzyme Tph1 showed that adding these bacteria increased gut serotonin, improved nerve growth in the colon, and normalized intestinal movement, without changing blood serotonin levels. Analysis of human stool samples revealed that people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) had lower levels of L. mucosae, which may contribute to gut motility issues. These findings suggest that enhancing serotonin-producing bacteria in the gut could offer a new approach to treating IBS and related digestive disorders by using the body’s natural microbiome.
Source : https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)01205-7
