薬理と治療

Abstract

Recently, the “gut–brain axis”, the interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system has been clarified. Thus, prebiotics may affect the nervous system via the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of inulin, a type of prebiotic, especially Fuji FF, which is produced from sugar using the enzyme, on sleep, stress, and mucosal immune function, which is related to sleep and stress. The study was conducted in a randomized, double–blind, placebo–controlled, parallel–group trial（UMIN–CTR ID: UMIN000045370）. Eighty healthy participants who had a poor quality of sleep and a constipation tendency consumed 5 g of Fuji FF or maltodextrin（placebo）each day for 6 weeks. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI）. The intensity of daily stress was assessed by a stress questionnaire. Mucosal immune function was assessed by salivary sIgA secretion rate. Fuji FF significantly improved Sleep quality, Sleep disturbances, Daytime dysfunction, and PSQI total score compared to Placebo. Fuji FF also significantly reduced the number of days of severe stress compared to Placebo. On the other hand, the rate of secretion of sIgA increased in the inulin compared to Placebo but did not change significantly. The present study indicated that inulin intake was shown to improve sleep quality and mitigate stress.（Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2023；51：1031‒9）