Gut bacterial metabolism produces neuroactive steroids in pregnant women

<正>A multitude of bioactive compounds are produced by the gut microbiota, including metabolites with notable antimicrobial or immunomodulatory effects. Perhaps the most compelling of these compounds, however, are the ones with the potential to affect human mood and behavior. In an article published recently in Cell, McCurry et al. demonstrated that human gut bacteria are capable of producing neuroactive steroids, including a drug clinically approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration(FDA) for the treatment of postpartum depression.