Potential Application of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Abstract

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) represent a heterogeneous group of microorganisms that are naturally present in many foods and possess a wide range of therapeutic properties. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the current expanding knowledge of the mechanisms by which LAB and other probiotic microorganisms participate in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. These include changes in the gut microbiota, stimulation of the host immune responses, and reduction of the oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties. A brief overview of the uses of genetically engineered LAB that produce either antioxidant enzymes (such as catalase and superoxide dismutase) or anti-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-10) will also be discussed. This paper will show that probiotics should be considered in treatment protocols of IBD since they provide many beneficial effects and can enhance the effectiveness of traditional used medicines.

Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Milk Fermented by a Strain of IL-10-Producing Lactococcus lactis Using a Murine Model of Crohn’s Disease

“…Due to their numerous beneficial properties and their generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status, LAB are the most commonly used probiotic microorganisms that can be defined as 'live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host' [FAO/ WHO, 2001]. The application of probiotics as a tool in the treatment and prevention of IBD without the negative side effects often associated with conventional drug therapy has recently been reviewed [del Carmen et al, 2011a].…”

Overview of Anticancer activity of Lactic Acid bacteria

“…Their beneficial effects wereinitially revealed by E. Metchnikoff (1845Metchnikoff ( -1919, a Russian scientist who proposed that extended longevity of the people of Balkan could be attributed to their practice of ingesting fermented milk products. Recent studies showed that LAB could be successfully used to manage diarrhea [Chouraqui et al 2004, Gaón et al, 2003], food allergies (Pohjavuori et al,2004) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ( Bourlioux et al, 2011;Azcárate et al,2011 anddel Carmen et al .,2011).Lactobacillus GG strain has been to be very effective against viral and idiopathic diarrhea as identified by Harish and Vargese in their studies (Harish and Vargese, 2006). Canani et al (2007) investigated the effects of lacticacid bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillusplantrum, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus faeciumSF68) on children of 6 to 36 months of age with diarrheal complication and found that these were effective in preventing diarrheal complications.…”

Evaluation of the biosafety of recombinant lactic acid bacteria designed to prevent and treat colitis

“…Probiotic micro-organisms, which have been defined as 'live micro-organisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host' (FAO/ WHO, 2001), have appeared as an alternative for IBD patients, and their efficiency has been analysed in experimental animal models and also in clinical trials (De Greef et al, 2014;del Carmen et al, 2013a). Many of the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB), in the treatment of IBD have been extensively recently reviewed and include (i) the modulation of the intestinal microbiota; (ii) the modulation of the host immune response by regulating the production of cytokines that are involved in regulation, activation, growth and differentiation of immune cells; (iii) the reduction of oxidative stress, which is characterized by an uncontrolled increase in the concentration of reactive oxidative species in the gastrointestinal tract and (iv) the production of other compounds such as vitamins that can, in turn.…”

“…Many of the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB), in the treatment of IBD have been extensively recently reviewed and include (i) the modulation of the intestinal microbiota; (ii) the modulation of the host immune response by regulating the production of cytokines that are involved in regulation, activation, growth and differentiation of immune cells; (iii) the reduction of oxidative stress, which is characterized by an uncontrolled increase in the concentration of reactive oxidative species in the gastrointestinal tract and (iv) the production of other compounds such as vitamins that can, in turn. decrease inflammatory processes (de Moreno de de Moreno de LeBlanc & LeBlanc, 2014;del Carmen et al, 2013a;LeBlanc et al, 2013a, b). One important consideration to take into account is that probiotic properties are strain dependent, and it is not common to find microorganisms that provide various beneficial effects; thus, the recombinant LAB (recLAB) have been also described as tools for the development of new treatments for IBD (de Moreno de LeBlanc et al, 2013b).…”