Neuropeptide substance P (SP) protected against colitis and associated anxiety-like behavior through gut-brain axis modulation, revealing SP as a protective factor in inflammatory bowel disease.
Gut AND mind protectorSubstance P — traditionally viewed as pro-inflammatory — actually protects against both colitis and the anxiety that accompanies it
What the researchers found
SP protected against colitis and anxiety-like behavior through gut-brain axis modulation, challenging its traditional pro-inflammatory characterization and revealing protective roles in IBD.
Why it matters
IBD patients frequently suffer from anxiety/depression. A neuropeptide protecting against both gut inflammation and anxiety addresses the gut-brain connection.
How the study worked
Colitis model with SP pathway investigation, assessment of intestinal inflammation and anxiety-like behavior.
What this study cannot tell us
Preclinical colitis model.
How to read the evidence
Preclinical mechanistic study.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
SP's dual gut-brain protective role reframes this well-known neuropeptide and could inform new IBD+mental health treatment strategies.
Questions still open
- Would SP agonists improve IBD outcomes and mental health simultaneously?
- Does SP deficiency contribute to IBD-associated anxiety?
- How does SP protection reconcile with its known pro-inflammatory roles?
Common questions
Can a pain peptide protect the gut?
Why does gut disease cause anxiety?
Read the original research
Neuropeptide SP protects against colitis and linked anxiety-like behavior through the putative roles of gut microbiota and metabolite inositol.
Nature communications, 17(1), 295
Citation
Lan, Jing; Wang, Jiaqi; Huang, Sijuan; Li, Chenyu; Deng, Ziteng; Hao, Zhihui; Ma, Yunfei. (2026). Neuropeptide SP protects against colitis and linked anxiety-like behavior through the putative roles of gut microbiota and metabolite inositol.. Nature communications, 17(1), 295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67904-0