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Probiotic Attributes

This document defines key terms related to probiotics and describes the gut microbiome. It notes that the gut microbiome contains trillions of bacteria that provide critical functions like nutrient production and protection from pathogens. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits. The document discusses probiotic mechanisms of action, conditions that can disrupt gut flora, and potential uses of probiotics.

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Tayyaba Qamar
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85 views

Probiotic Attributes

This document defines key terms related to probiotics and describes the gut microbiome. It notes that the gut microbiome contains trillions of bacteria that provide critical functions like nutrient production and protection from pathogens. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits. The document discusses probiotic mechanisms of action, conditions that can disrupt gut flora, and potential uses of probiotics.

Uploaded by

Tayyaba Qamar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Probiotic attributes

Nomenclature & Definitions


Microorganism: Largely unicellular organisms that need optical magnification to be seen

Prokaryotic: Organisms like bacteria which lack a membrane-defined nucleus. DNA “free” in the cytosol

Eukaryotic: Protozoans and all multicellular life forms that possess a nucleus surrounded by a membrane
that contains genomic DNA in the form of “interrupted genes”, i.e. introns and exons.

Plasmids, Mitochondria, Chloroplasts etc: Self-replicating “organelles” in cells that contain


their own DNA which is separate from nuclear DNA

Biotics: A term that is functionally equivalent to “bacteria”


Probiotics: Viable microorganisms, given in sufficient amounts ( 10 8 -1010 daily)
that reach the intestine in active form and exert a positive health effect.
Prebiotics: A food source especially for the existing microbiome and for probiotics
Synbiotics: A therapeutic mixture of pre- and probiotics
Antibiotics: Substances especially made by bacteria and fungi, that kills or
arrest the growth of other bacteria
Microbiome: The ecological community of bacteria that lives on and within us
The Gut Microbiome Evolved from Commensals to Mutualists
Humans harbors 10 14 bacteria of ~1000 species in their gut, i.e. the Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT)
microbiome

That means 2 bacteria for each human cell


The human microbiome weighs 3 lbs or about the same as the brain
60% of your feces is your microbiome

Commensals utilize nutrients and do no harm

Pathobionts are harmful to the host, cause disease and tissue damage.

Most members of the GIT microbiome are mutualists that thrive in a nutrient-rich environment and
provide critical metabolites for the host.

The human host provides:


Shelter from desiccation and a stable temperature and pH
A continuous supply of food for all members of the microbiome
Attachment sites that are critical for the survival of some microbiome members
What does the Gastrointestinal (GIT) Microbiome do for the host?
Nutrient value of GIT mutualists
The GIT microbiome generates vitamins B and K
Certain bacteria, convert complex polysaccharides into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that are require
to maintain the integrity of the gut epithelium
Ruminant mammals, cockroaches, termites and many others, are almost entirely dependent on the GIT
microbiome for their nutrition

Protective value of GIT mutualists


“Competitive exclusion” or “colonization resistance” prevents pathobionts from
dominating the gut ecosystem
Mutualists secrete anti-microbial (antibiotics) like bacitracin that kills
or inhibits the growth of pathobionts
Surface colonization and “quorum sensing” provides inter-bacterial communication that
adjusts and maintains a barrier that discourages pathogens
The microbiome keeps the GIT in a state of “controlled inflammation” , i.e. the host
immune system is in a state of readiness
Functional Foods
Functional foods substances or supplements administered to obtain a specific result also called
nutriceuticals or biotherapeutics
Examples
• Prebiotics
• Probiotics

Prebiotics Prebiotics Examples


• Non-digestible food supplements or • Fructooligosaccharide (akaoligofructose)
ingredients • Isomaltooligosaccharide
• Not absorbed or degraded • Xylooligosaccharide
• Alter the balance of intestinal flora and by • Inulin
acting as substrates stimulate the growth of • Fiber
beneficial bacteria (i.e., Lactobacillus and • Oligomate
Bifidobacteria) • Palatinose
• Pyrodextrin
• Raftiline
Probiotics
Organisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, exert a positive influence on the health of the host animal
Non-pathogenic
live microbial Live organisms that benefit the host animal by improving intestinal microbial balance
food supplements Usually administered in yogurt or capsules

A Brief History of Probiotics


• Metchnikoff 1907 ingesting yogurt with Lactobacilli reduces toxic bacteria of the
gut and prolongs life
• Kipeloff 1926 stressed importance of Lactobacillus acidophilus for good health
• Rettger 1930s early clinical application of Lactobacillus
• Parker 1974 1st to use the term probiotics
• Fuller 1989 defined probiotics
Probiotics

Lactobacilli
• anerobic, gram (+) rods
• casei
• plantarum
• acidophilus
• reuteri

Bifidobacteria
• anerobic, gram (+) rods
• VSL 3 (8 separate organisms 3 Bifidobacteria, 1 Streptococcus, 4 Lactobacilli)
• Enterococcus
• Streptococcus salivarius
• Saccharomyces
How is normal mucosal immune function Formation Maintenance of Gut Flora
maintained? • (Microbiota)Genetic factors
• GI secretions (saliva, acid, bile)
• Age
• Mucus
• Gender
• Normal peristalsis (presence of MMC)
• Mothers' microbiology
• Barrier function (tight junctions)
• Mode of delivery
• Intestinal proteolysis
• Feeding practices
• Intestinal immune cells
• Breast-fed Bifidobacterium
• IgA production and secretion
• Bottle-fed - Lactobacillus
• Co-morbid conditions
• Medications
• Diet
Conditions that can disrupt normal gut Key Properties of Probiotics
flora homeostasis • Bacteria of human origin
• Medications • Safe to use in large amounts in clinical practice
• Antibiotics
• Resist secretions of the upper GI tract
• Surgery
• Radiation • Survive passage through the GI tract
• Diet • Adhere to human intestinal cells
• Co-morbid diseases • Able to colonize the lumen of the GI tract
• Crohns
• Help to protect the cells against invasion by
• Scleroderma
pathogens
• Produce antimicrobial substances
• hydrogen peroxide
• organic acids
• bacteriocins
• Antagonize carcinogenic and pathogenic flora
Probiotics Mechanism of Action 1- Competitive Inhibition
1. Competitive inhibition
• Helps to restore the balance of good bacteria and bad
2. Barrier protection
bacteria
3. Immune effects
• Facilitates the growth of healthy bacteria i.e.,
4. Anti-inflammatory effects
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
5. Production of various substances (enzymes, SCFA,
• Bifidobacterium infantis inhibits the growth of
bactericidal agents)
Salmonella
6. Ability to alter local pH and physiology
7. Provides nutrition to colonocytes

2- Probiotics Barrier Protection 3- Probiotics Immune Function


• Intestinal permeability to bacteria is increased with • Mononuclear cells incubated with Lactobacilli produce
inflammation, i.e., Crohn's, UC, ischemia higher levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-1
• Pretreatment with L. plantarum 299v inhibits E. coli • Bifidobacteria suppressed the pro-inflammatory
intestinal permeability mediators (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-12) in a
• B. infantis prevents bacterial (Salmonella) murine model of IBD (IL-10 knockout)
translocation • In healthy volunteers, L. rhamnosus increased
phagocytic activity and NK tumor cell killing activity
Probiotics Immune Function
• Specimens cultured with various bacteria (L. casei, L. bulgaricus, L. crispatus)
• CD4 levels and TNF-alpha levels reduced in Crohn's explants but not in normal volunteers
• Impression probiotics interact with immunocompetent cells to modulate the production of
pro-inflammatory cytokines from ileal tissue in Crohn's patients

4- Probiotics Production of Other Substances


Intestinal bacteria play a key role in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)
• Butyric acid is the main fuel for colonocytes
• L. plantarum appeared to increase production of butyric acid in 36 healthy volunteers, leading
to reductions in fibrinogen, leptin, and monocyte adhesive properties
5- Probiotics Impact on Local Physiology Example - Antibiotic associated diarrhea
• Restores resident flora
• Increases production of SCFA
• SFCAs are absorbed by diffusion, leading to increased water and Na absorption
• Stimulates colonocyte proliferation, which may further improve water and Na
reabsorption

6- Probiotics Potential Uses IBS


• IBD
• Infectious diarrhea in children (i.e., rotavirus)
• Travelers diarrhea
• Antibiotic associated diarrhea
• Clostridium difficile

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