Postbiotic Activities of Lactobacilli-derived Factors

Abstract

Probiotics are alive nonpathogenic microorganisms present in the gut microbiota that confer benefits to the host for his health. They act through molecular and cellular mechanisms that contrast pathogen bacteria adhesion, enhance innate immunity, decrease pathogen-induced inflammation, and promote intestinal epithelial cell survival, barrier function, and protective responses. Some of these beneficial effects result to be determined by secreted probiotic-derived factors that recently have been identified as "postbiotic" mediators. They have been reported for several probiotic strains but most available literature concerns Lactobacilli. In this review, we focus on the reported actions of several secretory products of different Lactobacillus species highlighting the available mechanistic data. The identification of soluble factors mediating the beneficial effects of probiotics may present an opportunity not only to understand their fine mechanisms of action, but also to develop effective pharmacological strategies that could integrate the action of treatments with live bacteria.

Alcoholic Liver Disease: The Gut Microbiome and Liver Cross Talk

“…Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth correlates well with the severity of the alcoholic cirrhosis (Casafont Morencos et al, 1996). Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms promoting the growth of other beneficial microorganisms (Hartmann et al, 2012, Cicenia et al, 2014). Intriguingly, probiotics VSL#3 decrease small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in cirrhotic patients (Lunia et al, 2014).…”

“…Additionally, supernatant of Lactobacillus spp. alone has been shown to improve epithelial barrier function in vitro (Chen et al, 2015b;Cicenia et al, 2014). Thus, microbial products or metabolites together with reduced amounts of Lactobacillus trigger intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and liver disease following chronic alcohol feeding.…”

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supernatant enhance neonatal resistance to systemic Escherichia coli K1 infection by accelerating development of intestinal defense

“…Some active components have been identified from postbiotics, including short chain fatty acids, polyamines, polyphosphate, proteins and peptides. These active components have been implicated to exhibit a beneficial effect against several intestinal disorders through competition with pathogens, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity and promoting immune function30313233. Administering postbiotics not only can avoid the potential risks associated with live microorganisms but also confers the same beneficial effects on the host.…”

The role of topical probiotics in skin conditions: A systematic review of animal and human studies and implications for future therapies

“…In 2001, the Expert Panel commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and supported by the World Health Organization defined probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” . This differs from postbiotics, which are probiotic‐derived effector molecules that are secreted by bacteria or release after lysis that can exert properties similar to their parent probiotics . Thus, postbiotics aim to recapitulate the beneficial effects of probiotics while avoiding the risk of administering live microorganisms.…”