Background/objectives: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a clinical condition that manifests in the form of various physical and psychological symptoms, occurs periodically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and reduces quality of life.
Methods: Here, we conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus helveticus HY7801 (HY7801) on PMS symptoms.
Results: Data from the in vitro experiments showed that HY7801 inhibits prolactin secretion by estradiol-induced GH3 cells, as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells. Additionally, the oral administration of HY7801 (109 colony-forming units/kg/day) to mice with metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia reduced uterine tissue mass and endometrial thickness, both of which were increased excessively in the presence of prolactin. HY7801 also regulated the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and prostaglandin E1/E2, as well as recovering the progesterone/estradiol ratio. HY7801 also downregulated the serum levels of prolactin and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (Il)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf), and IL-1β. Finally, HY7801 reduced the expression of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines (i.e., Tnf and Il-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mice with hyperprolactinemia.
Conclusion: In summary, HY7801 may be a functional bacterium that alleviates PMS symptoms by modulating hormones and inflammatory markers.
Keywords: Lactobacillus helveticus; cytokines; premenstrual syndrome; probiotics; prolactin.