Intestinal Bacteria and Disease

Gibson, Glenn R.; Macfarlane, G.T.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-3443-5_3

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Alternatively, particular microbes may be autochthonous within a specific region of the gastrointestinal tract but allochthonous within another (33). Examples of the effects of pathogen proliferation include pseudomembranous colitis due to toxin production by Clostridium difficile and predominantly as a result of antibiotic treatment, postsurgical sepsis by Escherichia coli , Enterococcus faecalis , and Enterococcus faecium , and intraabdominal abscesses due to, among others, Bacteroides fragilis (34,35). Even lactobacilli, despite their traditional use in the production of fermented foods, have been reported as the cause of bacteremia (36,37).…”

Section: The Intestinal Microflora: a Summary Of Its Role In Health Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of Bacteria to the Intestinal Niche: Probiotics and Gut Disorder

Dunne

2001

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

154

123

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The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem host to a diverse and highly evolved microbial community composed of hundreds of different microbial species. The interactions that occur between this complex microbial community and the human host have become the focus of scientific research due to increases in the incidence of illnesses associated with deficient or compromised microflora (e.g., gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers). Effective multidisciplinary research programs now complement conventional microbiology with molecular ecology techniques to provide culture-independent analysis of the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Furthermore, as we acquire an understanding of gut microflora composition and processes such as intestinal adherence, colonization, translocation, and immunomodulation, we are also elucidating mechanisms by which these can be influenced. This knowledge not only allows scientists to define the activities and interactions of "functional food"-borne beneficial bacteria in the gut, but will also provide the scientific basis for the development of innovative biotechnology-based products tailored to prevent specific diseases and promote overall human gastrointestinal health.

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Section: The Intestinal Microflora: a Summary Of Its Role In Health Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of Bacteria to the Intestinal Niche: Probiotics and Gut Disorder

Dunne

2001

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

154

123

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“… 58 Studies with butyrate, a product of short‐chain FOS metabolism, have demonstrated a variety of antitumor effects, including the stabilization of chromatin structure during cell division. 59 Infusions of butyrate into animals with colonic tumors have increased expression of antigenic targets on cancerous cells and inhibited tumor growth. 60 …”

Section: Colon Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, enemas of short‐chain fatty acids including butyrate reduce inflammation in distal ulcerative colitis. 59 Short‐chain FOS are rapidly metabolized within the large intestine to short‐chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Short‐chain FOS prevent colonic epithelial atrophy and enhance colonic tissue weight, 63 and may be part of a useful, low‐cost, adjunctive therapy.…”

Section: Ulcerative Colitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Intestinal Warfare: The Role of Short‐Chain Fructooligosaccharides in Health and Disease

Nadeau

2000

Nutrition in Clinical Care

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Short‐chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a long‐studied functional food made up of a glucose molecule linked to between 2 and 4 fructose molecules and not significantly digested in the small intestine. Short‐chain FOS provide an energy source that is relatively specific for beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, with even small amounts leading to dramatic increases in bifidobacteria, which have a variety of health benefits in and of themselves. In addition, a predicable fall in pathogenic bacteria, such as clostridia, occurs as bifidobacteria increase. This has implications for several disorders, ranging from liver disease to antibiotic‐associated diarrhea to colon cancer. Short‐chain FOS are metabolized to short‐chain fatty acids, lowering pH in the colon. This facilitates calcium absorption, which may be beneficial for individuals with renal and liver disease, and has implications for colon cancer protection as well. Short‐chain fatty acids are the preferred substrate for colonic epithelial cells, which are potentially beneficial for those with ulcerative colitis risk. Other effects of short‐chain FOS include an effect on cholesterol metabolism through interference with enterohepatic circulation of cholesterol. Short‐chain FOS allow for a favorable shift in the balance of healthful vs harmful organisms, lowering colonic pH while providing an energy source for the gut, with significant implications for disease prevention.

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“…During normal vaginal delivery, the gastrointestinal immune system is exposed to maternal enteric bacteria which rapidly colonise the infant's intestine reaching concentrations of 10 11 /g of stool 2. The continuous interaction between commensal bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract and the immunological system create a steady state of “physiological inflammation” in the gastrointestinal mucosa.…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%