Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics: Gut and Beyond

Abstract

The human intestinal tract has been colonized by thousands of species of bacteria during the coevolution of man and microbes. Gut-borne microbes outnumber the total number of body tissue cells by a factor of ten. Recent metagenomic analysis of the human gut microbiota has revealed the presence of some 3.3 million genes, as compared to the mere 23 thousand genes present in the cells of the tissues in the entire human body. Evidence for various beneficial roles of the intestinal microbiota in human health and disease is expanding rapidly. Perturbation of the intestinal microbiota may lead to chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, colon cancers, gastric ulcers, cardiovascular disease, functional bowel diseases, and obesity. Restoration of the gut microbiota may be difficult to accomplish, but the use of probiotics has led to promising results in a large number of well-designed (clinical) studies. Microbiomics has spurred a dramatic increase in scientific, industrial, and public interest in probiotics and prebiotics as possible agents for gut microbiota management and control. Genomics and bioinformatics tools may allow us to establish mechanistic relationships among gut microbiota, health status, and the effects of drugs in the individual. This will hopefully provide perspectives for personalized gut microbiota management.

Beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota

“…As it has been recognised that changes in the gut microbiota play a role in GI disease then it is not surprising that probiotics are an attractive option with respect to modulation of the gut microbiome. For a probiotic to successfully exert its benefit on the host's gut microbiota it should be able to remain viable during storage and also be capable of surviving, and potentially colonizing, the host's intestinal environment [123]. The majority of probiotics currently used are members of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and, more specifically, strains from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are most commonly used in commercial probiotics.…”

Alergia a la leche y al huevo: diagnóstico, manejo e implicaciones en América Latina

“…Actualmente se sabe que entre esta flora y las células inmunes hay una importante interacción y que este equilibrio puede verse alterado en la alergia a la leche de vaca y al huevo de gallina (68,69), por lo que se ha explorado si la administración de ciertas sustancias puede restablecer dicho equilibrio. Los prebióticos son sustancias que estimulan un ambiente adecuado para el crecimiento de un microbioma favorable para el huésped (70). Los probióticos son microorganismos vivos que, administrados en cantidades adecuadas, favorecen al huésped, y los simbióticos son mezclas de estas dos sustancias que buscan potenciar su efecto (70).…”

“…Los prebióticos son sustancias que estimulan un ambiente adecuado para el crecimiento de un microbioma favorable para el huésped (70). Los probióticos son microorganismos vivos que, administrados en cantidades adecuadas, favorecen al huésped, y los simbióticos son mezclas de estas dos sustancias que buscan potenciar su efecto (70). La evidencia actual no permite recomendar el uso de estas sustancias para el manejo de las alergias alimentarias; sin embargo, algunos estudios muestran que su uso puede acortar el tiempo necesario para adquirir tolerancia y tener cierto efecto protector.…”

Synbiotic supplementation promotes improvement of chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology in patient with chronic kidney disease and provides better outcomes in dialysis

“…The reestablishment of gut balance by using probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics has been studied for various diseases (6). Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host (7).…”

“…Prebiotics are selectively fermented ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota conferring health benefits to the host (8). Finally, synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics administered together (6). Synbiotic therapy has been shown to be specifically effective for improving the intestinal environment in various medical conditions (9).…”