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Polish Journal of Microbiology 2018Probiotic bacteria have been used as a health-promoting factor for a very long time. Nowadays, products containing probiotic bacteria are becoming more and more popular... (Review)
Review
Probiotic bacteria have been used as a health-promoting factor for a very long time. Nowadays, products containing probiotic bacteria are becoming more and more popular on the market. The term probiotics refers to the products belonging to the following groups: probiotic drugs (medicinal products - live biotherapeutic products for human use), medical devices, probiotic foods (e.g. foods, food ingredients, dietary supplements or food for special medical purposes), directly fed microorganisms (for animal use) and designer probiotics (genetically modified probiotics). Safety assessment of bacterial strains used as probiotics should be carefully studied. Even though probiotic bacteria have the generally recognized as safe (GRAS status), there are several reports about side effects triggered by the presence of these organisms. Microorganisms used as probiotics may cause systemic infections, stimulate the immune system, disturb metabolism and participate in horizontal gene transfer.
Topics: Bacteremia; Bifidobacterium; Consumer Product Safety; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lactobacillus; Probiotics
PubMed: 30451441
DOI: 10.21307/pjm-2018-044 -
Acta Biochimica Polonica Dec 2018Supplementing the human microbiome with probiotic microorganisms is a proposed solution for civilization syndromes such as dysbiosis and gastrointestinal tract (GIT)... (Review)
Review
Supplementing the human microbiome with probiotic microorganisms is a proposed solution for civilization syndromes such as dysbiosis and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders. Bimodal probiotic strains of the Bacillus genus constitute the microbiota of the human environment, and are typically found in soil, water, a number of non-dairy fermented foods, as well as in human and animal GIT. Probiotic Bacillus sp. are Gram positive rods, with the ability of sporulation to survive environmental stress and preparation conditions. In vitro models of the human stomach and human studies with probiotic Bacillus reveal the mechanisms of its life cycle and sporulation. The Bacillus sp. probiotic biofilm introduces biochemical effects such as antimicrobial and enzymatic activity, thus contributing to protection from GIT and other infections. Despite the beneficial activity of Bacillus strains belonging to the safety group 1, a number of strains can pose a substantial health risk, carrying genes for various toxins or antibiotic resistance. Commercially available Bacillus probiotic preparations include strains from the subtilis and other closely related phylogenetic clades. Those intended for oral administration in humans, often encapsulated with appropriate supporting materials, still tend to be mislabeled or poorly characterized. Bacillus sp. MALDI-TOF analysis, combined with sequencing of characteristic 16S rRNA or enzyme coding genes, may provide accurate identification. A promising future application of the probiotic Bacillus sp. might be the microflora biocontrol in the human body and the closest human environment. Environmental probiotic Bacillus species display the potential to support human microflora, however controversies regarding the safety of certain strains is a key factor in their still limited application.
Topics: Bacillus; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Probiotics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Risk
PubMed: 30521647
DOI: 10.18388/abp.2018_2652 -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2022A promising new treatment approach for major depressive disorder (MDD) targets the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis, which is linked to physiological and behavioral... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A promising new treatment approach for major depressive disorder (MDD) targets the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis, which is linked to physiological and behavioral functions affected in MDD. This is the first randomized controlled trial to determine whether short-term, high-dose probiotic supplementation reduces depressive symptoms along with gut microbial and neural changes in depressed patients. Patients with current depressive episodes took either a multi-strain probiotic supplement or placebo over 31 days additionally to treatment-as-usual. Assessments took place before, immediately after and again four weeks after the intervention. The Hamilton Depression Rating Sale (HAM-D) was assessed as primary outcome. Quantitative microbiome profiling and neuroimaging was used to detect changes along the MGB axis. In the sample that completed the intervention (probiotics N = 21, placebo N = 26), HAM-D scores decreased over time and interactions between time and group indicated a stronger decrease in the probiotics relative to the placebo group. Probiotics maintained microbial diversity and increased the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus, indicating the effectivity of the probiotics to increase specific taxa. The increase of the Lactobacillus was associated with decreased depressive symptoms in the probiotics group. Finally, putamen activation in response to neutral faces was significantly decreased after the probiotic intervention. Our data imply that an add-on probiotic treatment ameliorates depressive symptoms (HAM-D) along with changes in the gut microbiota and brain, which highlights the role of the MGB axis in MDD and emphasizes the potential of microbiota-related treatment approaches as accessible, pragmatic, and non-stigmatizing therapies in MDD. Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov , identifier: NCT02957591.
Topics: Depressive Disorder, Major; Dietary Supplements; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Probiotics
PubMed: 35654766
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01977-z -
PloS One 2012Meta-analyses on the effects of probiotics on specific gastrointestinal diseases have generally shown positive effects on disease prevention and treatment; however, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Meta-analyses on the effects of probiotics on specific gastrointestinal diseases have generally shown positive effects on disease prevention and treatment; however, the relative efficacy of probiotic use for treatment and prevention across different gastrointestinal diseases, with differing etiology and mechanisms of action, has not been addressed.
METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
We included randomized controlled trials in humans that used a specified probiotic in the treatment or prevention of Pouchitis, Infectious diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile Disease, Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea, Traveler's Diarrhea, or Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Random effects models were used to evaluate efficacy as pooled relative risks across the eight diseases as well as across probiotic species, single vs. multiple species, patient ages, dosages, and length of treatment. Probiotics had a positive significant effect across all eight gastrointestinal diseases with a relative risk of 0.58 (95% (CI) 0.51-0.65). Six of the eight diseases: Pouchitis, Infectious diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile Disease, and Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea, showed positive significant effects. Traveler's Diarrhea and Necrotizing Enterocolitis did not show significant effects of probiotcs. Of the 11 species and species mixtures, all showed positive significant effects except for Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium infantis. Across all diseases and probiotic species, positive significant effects of probiotics were observed for all age groups, single vs. multiple species, and treatment lengths.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Probiotics are generally beneficial in treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Efficacy was not observed for Traveler's Diarrhea or Necrotizing Enterocolitis or for the probiotic species L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and B. infantis. When choosing to use probiotics in the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal disease, the type of disease and probiotic species (strain) are the most important factors to take into consideration.
Topics: Age Factors; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Probiotics; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 22529959
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034938 -
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.) 2023Probiotic supplements were shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, it is still unclear whether this applies to older... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Probiotic supplements were shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, it is still unclear whether this applies to older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to explore the effects of probiotic supplementation on multiple neural behaviors in older adults with MCI. Forty-two MCI patients (age > 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups and consumed either probiotics (n=21) or placebo (n=21) for 12 weeks. Various scale scores, gut microbiota measures and serological indicators were recorded pre- and posttreatment. After 12 weeks of intervention, cognitive function and sleep quality were improved in the probiotic group compared with those in the control group, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that probiotic treatment enhanced cognitive function and sleep quality in older MCI patients, thus providing important insights into the clinical prevention and treatment of MCI.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognition; Alzheimer Disease; Probiotics; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 36990042
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.03.006 -
Clinical Gastroenterology and... Apr 2019This narrative review provides an overview of the current regulation of probiotics, with a focus on those used for the dietary management of medical conditions (Medical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND & AIMS
This narrative review provides an overview of the current regulation of probiotics, with a focus on those used for the dietary management of medical conditions (Medical Foods).
FINDINGS
The probiotic market has grown rapidly, both for foods and supplements intended to enhance wellness in healthy individuals, and for preparations for the dietary management of disease. Regulation of probiotics varies between regions. Unless they make specific disease-related health claims, probiotics are regulated as food supplements and regulation is focused on the legitimacy of any claims, rather than efficacy, safety and quality. Many properties of probiotics are strain-specific, and safety and efficacy findings associated to specific formulations should not be generalized to other probiotic products. Manufacturing processes, conditions and ingredients are important determinants of product characteristics and changes to manufacturing are likely to give rise to a product not identical to the "original" in efficacy and safety if proper measures and controls are not taken. Current trademark law and the lack of stringent regulation of probiotic manufacturing mean that the trademark owner can commercialize any formulation under the same brand, even if significantly different from the original. These regulatory deficits may have serious consequences for patients where probiotics are used as part of clinical guideline-recommended management of serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases, and may make doctors liable for prescribing a formulation not previously tested for safety and efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS
Current regulation of probiotics is inadequate to protect consumers and doctors, especially when probiotics are aimed at the dietary management of serious conditions.
Topics: Diet Therapy; Dietary Supplements; Drug and Narcotic Control; Health Policy; Humans; Probiotics
PubMed: 29378309
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.01.018 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Sep 2019Probiotics, including bacteria and yeast, are live microorganisms that have demonstrated beneficial effects on human health. Recently, probiotic bacteria are constantly... (Review)
Review
Probiotics, including bacteria and yeast, are live microorganisms that have demonstrated beneficial effects on human health. Recently, probiotic bacteria are constantly being studied and their applications are also being considered in promising adjuvant treatments for various intestinal diseases. Clinical trials and in vivo experiments have extended our current understanding of the important roles that probiotics play in human gut microbiomeassociated diseases. It has been documented through many clinical trials that probiotics could shape the intestinal microbiota leading to potential control of multiple bowel diseases and promotion of overall wellness. In this review, we focused on the relationship between probiotics and the human gut microbiota and its roles in gut microbiome-associated diseases. Here, we also discuss future directions and research areas that need further elucidation in order to better understand the roles of probiotics in the treatment of intestinal diseases.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Homeostasis; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Probiotics
PubMed: 31434172
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1906.06064 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. Some strains of the probiotic () have both... (Review)
Review
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. Some strains of the probiotic () have both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may be exploited for the treatment and prevention of different gastrointestinal diseases, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and () infection. Our laboratory has developed a new delivery system for in which the probiotic is incubated with biocompatible, semipermeable, porous dextranomer microspheres (DM) that can be loaded with beneficial and diffusible cargo. can be induced to form a biofilm by incubating the bacteria on the surface of these microspheres, which enhances the efficacy of the probiotic. Loading the DM with sucrose or maltose induces to produce more biofilm, further increasing the efficacy of the probiotic. Using a rat model of NEC, administered in its biofilm state significantly increases animal survival, reduces the incidence of NEC, preserves gut barrier function, and decreases intestinal inflammation. In a murine model of infection, administered in its biofilm state decreases colitis when administered either before or after induction, demonstrating both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy. There are currently no FDA-approved probiotic preparations for human use. An FDA-approved phase I clinical trial of in its biofilm state in healthy adults is currently underway. The results of this trial will be used to support a phase 1 clinical trial in neonates, with the goal of utilizing in its biofilm state to prevent NEC in premature neonates in the future.
Topics: Animals; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intestines; Limosilactobacillus reuteri; Mice; Probiotics; Rats
PubMed: 35837474
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.863949 -
Gut Microbes May 2020Probiotic bacteria are increasingly gaining importance in human nutrition owing to their multifaceted health beneficial effects. Studies have also shown that probiotic... (Review)
Review
Probiotic bacteria are increasingly gaining importance in human nutrition owing to their multifaceted health beneficial effects. Studies have also shown that probiotic supplementation is useful in mitigating age-associated oxi-inflammatory stress, immunosenescence, and gut dysbiosis thereby promoting health and longevity. However, our current understanding of the process of aging suggests a strong interrelationship between the accumulation of senescent cells and the development of aging phenotype, including the predisposition to age-related disorders. The present review studies the documented pro-longevity effects of probiotics and highlights how these beneficial attributes of probiotics could be related to the mitigation of cellular senescence. We present a perspective that to fully understand and comprehend the anti-aging characteristics of probiotic bacteria; it is imperative that probiotics or their synbiotic amalgamation with plant polyphenols, be studied under the purview of cellular senescence, that may ultimately help devise probiotic-based anti-senescence strategies.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Bacteria; Cellular Senescence; Humans; Immunosenescence; Inflammation; Longevity; Oxidative Stress; Polyphenols; Probiotics; Synbiotics
PubMed: 31818183
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2019.1697148 -
Beneficial Microbes Jul 2019A clear safety profile of probiotics in clinical practice is essential in decision-making for all stakeholders and regulators. Probiotics have been investigated in... (Review)
Review
A clear safety profile of probiotics in clinical practice is essential in decision-making for all stakeholders and regulators. Probiotics have been investigated in different target populations, conditions and age groups. This also includes the use of probiotics in critically ill patients. Despite promising results reported with the use of probiotics and synbiotics, there is still a lively discussion regarding the proper and safe use of probiotics among physicians, researchers and regulators. This doubt and debate was sparked by the high incidence in mortality reported in a study with critically ill patients. Whereas no causal relationship has been established since, safety of probiotic has been questioned. In response, an overwhelming body of evidence suggesting that probiotics are safe has been compiled. Moreover, data indicates that probiotics reduce the number of adverse events compared to the control. However, due to a lack of standardised safety reporting in clinical studies, a strong evidence base on probiotic safety remains to be established. Here, we will discuss: (1) the rationale for using probiotics in the critically ill; (2) what happened during the Dutch Pancreatitis trial; (3) what are the known safety risks of probiotics based on the available data; and finally (4) how standardisation in safety reporting can drive probiotic innovation. Building a strong safety profile for probiotic strains will solidify its use in individuals that can benefit the most from microbial modulation.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clinical Decision-Making; Clinical Trials as Topic; Critical Illness; Humans; Pancreatitis; Probiotics; Synbiotics
PubMed: 31131618
DOI: 10.3920/BM2018.0159