Probiotics

Abstract

The term "probiotic" was first used in 1965, by Lilly and Stillwell, to describe substances secreted by one organism which stimulate the growth of another. The use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive therapy and irradiation, amongst other means of treatment, may cause alterations in the composition and have an effect on the GIT flora. Therefore, the introduction of beneficial bacterial species to GI tract may be a very attractive option to re-establish the microbial equilibrium and prevent disease. Prebiotic is a non-digestible food ingredient that confers benefits on the host by selectively stimulating one bacterium or a group of bacteria in the colon with probiotic properties. Both probiotics and prebiotics are together called as Synbiotics. Various bacterial genera most commonly used in probiotic preparations are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Streptococcus . Some fungal strains belonging to Saccharomyces have also been used. Probiotics have been shown to be effective in varied clinical conditions- ranging from infantile diarrhoea, necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, relapsing Clostridium difficle colitis, Helicobacter pylori infections, inflammatory bowel disease to cancer, female uro-genital infection and surgical infections. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG has proven beneficial affects on intestinal immunity. It increases the number of IgA and other immunoglobulins secreting cells in the intestinal mucosa. It also stimulates local release of interferons. It facilitates antigen transport to underlying lymphoid cells, which serves to increase antigen uptake in Peyer's patches. Probiotics are live microorganisms, so it is possible that they may result in infection in the host. The risk and morbidity of sepsis due to probiotic bacteria should be weighed against the potential for sepsis due to more pathological bacteria and the morbidity of diseases for which probiotic bacteria are being used as therapeutic agents. Also, future, well-designed placebo controlled studies with validated results are required for ascertaining the true health benefits of probiotics The important point in this regard is careful selection of the probiotic agent, its dose standardization and a thorough knowledge of its beneficial effects.

Oral probiotics: Lactobacillus sporogenes for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low-birth weight infants: a randomized, controlled trial

“…It is suggested that the mechanisms of improved feeding tolerance may be regulation of intestinal motility, stimulation of intestinal mucosal lactase activity and lowering the intestinal pH (Gupta and Garg, 2009). L. sporogenes produces acids but no gas from fermentation of maltose, mannitol, raffinose, sucrose and trehalose, so this characteristic of the probiotic may be also effective in improving feeding tolerance (De Vecchi and Drago, 2006).…”

Biosurfactants and Bioemulsifiers Biomedical and Related Applications – Present Status and Future Potentials

“…They have been reported to have positive effects on the maintenance of human health (Gupta & Garg 2009). Interest in probiotics has gained great significance due to the increasing antimicrobial resistance of bacteria worldwide.…”

Influence of consumption of probiotics on presence of enterobacteria in the oral cavity

“…3 The presence of probiotic microorganisms in intestinal mucosa can prevent the colonization of pathogens, probably via competitive effects, production of antimicrobial substances, and/or modulation of mucosal immunity. [4][5][6] Shu et al 7 observed that the consumption of probiotic bacteria induced a reduction in diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli toxin in pigs. The authors also observed an increase in phagocyte activity and in levels of IgA antibodies, reducing the mortality caused by E. coli 0157:H7 in mice.…”