Prebiotics and Probiotics Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the primary function of probiotics?

To act as a food source for existing gut bacteria.

To introduce live microorganisms that provide health benefits. (correct)

To directly kill harmful bacteria in the gut.

To prevent further microbial growth in the gut.

Which of these genera are NOT commonly associated with human probiotic microorganisms?

Lactobacillus

Escherichia (correct)

Bifidobacterium

Streptococcus

How do probiotics potentially benefit the human host?

By directly stimulating the nervous system.

By producing essential vitamins for absorption.

By reducing blood sugar levels.

By inhibiting the bacterial toxin production. (correct)

What is a primary mechanism by which probiotics compete with pathogens?

Outcompeting for adhesion to the epithelium and for nutrients. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of inflammatory bowel diseases, what is the observed effect of probiotics on Ulcerative Colitis, according to the provided information?

Clinical studies have demonstrated that probiotics lead to the remission of ulcerative colitis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What effect have clinical trials found of probiotics on Crohn's disease?

No positive effect has been observed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was shown about the effects of probiotics on lactose intolerance?

Probiotics can lead to increased lactose digestion and tolerance, and significantly decrease diarrhea and flatulence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What has been observed of probiotics in relation to colorectal carcinoma?

Animal studies have shown a risk reduction, but the same effect has not been confirmed in clinical trials. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a demonstrated benefit of probiotic use in cancer patients according to the text?

Decreased risk of developing new cancer cells (A) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Saccharomyces boulardii have on acute, watery diarrhea?

It leads to a cure and reduces the frequency of diarrhea. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In relation to Clostridium difficile disease (CDD), which probiotic has shown effectiveness?

Saccharomyces boulardii (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one way in which probiotics reportedly help with viral infections?

Increasing the production of IgA antibodies (B) Signup and view all the answers

Besides gastrointestinal issues, the text mentions that probiotics can be beneficial for which of the following conditions?

Vaginitis (C) Signup and view all the answers

In obese patients, which of the following is NOT listed as a result of probiotic administration?

Improvement in mood (C) Signup and view all the answers

What effect do probiotics have on atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

It leads to a significant reduction in severity with an improved ratio of IFN-γ and IL-10. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is listed as a condition that probiotics have been shown to have beneficial effects in preventing?

Necrotising enterocolitis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of combining prebiotics and probiotics in synbiotics?

To enhance the survival of probiotic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Besides increased survival, what is another benefit of combining prebiotics with probiotics in synbiotics?

Stimulation of proliferation of specific native bacterial strains (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a demonstrated effect of prebiotics such as FOS on the immune system?

Increased count of lymphocytes and/or leukocytes in circulating blood and lymphoid tissues (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) play in gene expression?

They modulate histone acetylation, increasing gene availability for transcription (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reported property of metabolites that makes them relevant therapeutic candidates?

Low tissue tolerability (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the therapeutic applications of gut microbiota-associated metabolites?

Modulation of cardiometabolic and neurological disorders (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which beneficial effect is associated with synbiotics in patients undergoing post-surgical procedures?

Prevention of bacterial translocation and reduced incidence of nosocomial infections (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between SCFAs and inflammation, as discussed in the content?

SCFAs exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in various disorders (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic that differentiates prebiotics from dietary fiber?

Prebiotics specifically stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, while dietary fiber is used by a majority of colonic microorganisms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a common prebiotic used in human nutrition?

Xylose (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary effect of the fermentation of prebiotics in the colon?

Increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the proposed mechanisms by which prebiotics influence immunological functions?

Regulation of hepatic lipogenic enzymes through increased SCFA production. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of compounds classified as prebiotics?

They selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reported benefits of prebiotics related to lipid levels?

Reduction of the blood LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following criteria is NOT typically considered when selecting a compound for use as a prebiotic?

Rapid rate of digestion in the small intestine. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Bifidobacterium spp. and SCFAs, according to the text?

Increased abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. is associated with an increase in SCFAs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Gut Microbiome Modulation

Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that selectively nourish beneficial gut microorganisms.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts.
Modulation of the gut microbiota can be achieved by dietary approaches or therapeutic interventions.
Not all dietary interventions or probiotics are universally beneficial.

Therapeutic Strategies

Prebiotics
Probiotics
Synbiotics (combination of prebiotics and probiotics)
FMT (fecal microbiota transplantation)
Phage therapy
miRNA modulation

Probiotic Criteria

Safety: Human or animal origin, history of safe use, absence of disease association, no adverse effects, no antibiotic resistance genes.
Functionality: Competitiveness in the gut, ability to survive and metabolise in the gut, resistance to bile salts and enzymes and low pH, antagonistic activity against pathogens.
Technological Usability: Easy and stable production, high viability and stability during processing and storage.

Probiotic Microorganisms

Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, and others.

Mechanisms of Probiotic Beneficial Effects

Antagonism (production of antimicrobial substances)
Competition with pathogens
Immunomodulation
Positive effects on metabolism
Inhibition of bacterial toxin production

Probiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Ulcerative colitis: Probiotics can lead to remission.
Crohn's disease: No positive effect shown.
Lactose intolerance: Increased lactose digestion and tolerance, reduced diarrhoea.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Improvements in symptoms (bloating, pain, constipation, cramps, flatulence, potentially).

Probiotics and Cancer

Animal studies suggest a potential risk reduction, but clinical trials have not confirmed it.
Probiotics may alleviate gastrointestinal disorders in cancer patients.
Possible improvements in gut mucosal barrier integrity, reduction in diarrhoea incidence, and less abdominal discomfort.

Probiotics and Diarrhoea & Intestinal Infections

Saccharomyces boulardii yeast can reduce acute watery diarrhoea frequency.
Probiotics can be used in nosocomial, non-nosocomial, and viral diarrhoea treatment and may boost IgA antibody production.
Antibiotics-related diarrhoea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile disease (CDD) show strong responses to probiotics (especially Saccharomyces boulardii).

Probiotics and Extraintestinal Infections

Probiotics may prevent vaginitis and reduce respiratory tract infections.
Children with cystic fibrosis may experience reduced pulmonary exacerbations with probiotic administration.
Probiotics might reduce nosocomial infections (e.g., VAP).

Probiotics and Metabolic Disorders

Probiotic administration can reduce BMI, arterial BP, and improve lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.
Significant reduction in blood glucose, HbA1C, LDL, and total cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Probiotics and Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Probiotic administration to pregnant women and their infants can reduce infant eczema.
Probiotic treatment can improve AD severity in children with improved IFN-γ and IL-10 ratios.

In Recent Randomized Controlled Trials

Probiotics may prevent diarrhoea, necrotising enterocolitis, ulcerative colitis, and respiratory tract issues.
Probiotic treatment could improve cardiometabolic parameters and reduce CRP levels in type 2 diabetes patients.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are selectively used to nourish beneficial gut microbial organisms.
Resistance to digestion in the upper GIT
Fermentation by gut microbiota
Beneficial effects on host's health
Selective stimulation of probiotics growth
Stability in various food processing conditions

Sources of Prebiotics

Fruit, vegetables, cereals, and other edible plants.
Carbohydrates like dietary fibre.
Prebiotic examples: FOS, GOS, inulin, XOS, lactitol, lactosucrose, lactulose, soy oligosaccharides, and transgalactooligosaccharides.

Fermentable Dietary Fibres

Inulin, oligofructose, FOS, galactooligosaccharides.
Increase Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in stool samples (and linked to increased SCFAs).

Health Benefits from Prebiotics

Prevention of carcinogenesis.
Reduction of blood LDL levels.
Stimulation of the immunological system.
Absorbability enhancement of calcium.
Intestinal pH value maintenance.

Mechanisms of Prebiotic Effects

Regulation of hepatic enzymes by influencing SCFAs production (e.g., butyric acid).
Histone acetylation modulation through SCFAs production.
Modulation of mucin production.
Increased lymphocyte and/or leukocyte count in association lymphoid tissues.
IgA secretion enhancement.

Synbiotics

Combination of prebiotics and probiotics.
Improvement of probiotic survival in the GI tract.
Stimulation of native gut bacteria proliferation.
Increased tolerance of probiotics to environmental factors (oxygenation, pH, temperature).
Examples: Lactobacillus + inulin, Lactobacillus + FOS, Lactobacillus + oligofructose, Lactobacillus + inulin.

Beneficial Effects of Synbiotics

Increased counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the gut.
Improved hepatic function in cirrhosis patients.
Enhanced immunomodulation.
Reduced incidence of nosocomial infections (e.g., post-surgical settings).

Clinical Trial Examples

Synbiotic interventions affect weight, blood glucose, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance.
Synbiotics may help with IBS, eczema, IBD, and lactose intolerance.
Specific synbiotics are associated with positive results in certain diseases and conditions.

Metabolites

Gut microbiota-associated metabolites are crucial in disease development and progression
Metabolites are used in treating inflammation, metabolic and neurological disorders/diseases, and cancer.
Advantages: natural bioavailability, high concentrations, easy administration, and tolerable tissue effects

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

Exhibit anti-inflammatory effects
Oral administration alleviates brain inflammation and symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.
Colon delivery of SCFAs may counteract psychosocial stress effects.

Other Novel Approaches

miRNAs: Crucial for homeostasis and have a role in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation.
Hyaluronan: Unbranched glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix involved in IBD promotion/resolution.
Nanomaterials: Possible tools for impacting disease-causing microorganisms and their metabolites in the microenvironment of the cancer.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of prebiotics, probiotics, and their role in gut microbiome modulation. This quiz delves into therapeutic strategies such as synbiotics and FMT, and discusses essential probiotic criteria for safety and functionality. Test your knowledge on how these components contribute to digestive health.