Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases

Intestinal microbiota is a positive health asset that exerts a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis. Resident bacteria deliver regulatory signals to the epithelium and instruct mucosal immune responses. Recent research has revealed a potential therapeutic role for the manipulation of the mi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ann M. O'Hara, Fergus Shanahan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2007-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2007.26
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850161923575775232
author Ann M. O'Hara
Fergus Shanahan
author_facet Ann M. O'Hara
Fergus Shanahan
author_sort Ann M. O'Hara
collection DOAJ
description Intestinal microbiota is a positive health asset that exerts a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis. Resident bacteria deliver regulatory signals to the epithelium and instruct mucosal immune responses. Recent research has revealed a potential therapeutic role for the manipulation of the microbiota and exploitation of host-microbial signalling pathways in the maintenance of human health and treatment of various mucosal disorders. A variety of pharmabiotic strategies, such as the use of specific members of the microbiota, their surface components, or metabolites, as well as genetically modified commensal bacteria, are being investigated for their ability to enhance the beneficial components of the microbiota. It is clear that engagement with host cells is central to pharmabiotic action, and several strain-specific mechanisms of action have been elucidated. However, the molecular details underpinning these mechanisms remain almost entirely unknown. Understanding how pharmabiotics exert their beneficial effects is critical for the establishment of definitive selection criteria for certain pharmabiotic strategies for specific clinical conditions. Scientifically accredited evidence of efficacy and studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions are needed to lend credence to the use of pharmabiotic strategies in clinical medicine.
format Article
id doaj-art-fd656335610043028d8d6ddefc0becb7
institution OA Journals
issn 1537-744X
language English
publishDate 2007-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-fd656335610043028d8d6ddefc0becb72025-08-20T02:22:40ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2007-01-017314610.1100/tsw.2007.26Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal DiseasesAnn M. O'Hara0Fergus Shanahan1Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, IrelandAlimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, IrelandIntestinal microbiota is a positive health asset that exerts a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis. Resident bacteria deliver regulatory signals to the epithelium and instruct mucosal immune responses. Recent research has revealed a potential therapeutic role for the manipulation of the microbiota and exploitation of host-microbial signalling pathways in the maintenance of human health and treatment of various mucosal disorders. A variety of pharmabiotic strategies, such as the use of specific members of the microbiota, their surface components, or metabolites, as well as genetically modified commensal bacteria, are being investigated for their ability to enhance the beneficial components of the microbiota. It is clear that engagement with host cells is central to pharmabiotic action, and several strain-specific mechanisms of action have been elucidated. However, the molecular details underpinning these mechanisms remain almost entirely unknown. Understanding how pharmabiotics exert their beneficial effects is critical for the establishment of definitive selection criteria for certain pharmabiotic strategies for specific clinical conditions. Scientifically accredited evidence of efficacy and studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions are needed to lend credence to the use of pharmabiotic strategies in clinical medicine.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2007.26
spellingShingle Ann M. O'Hara
Fergus Shanahan
Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
The Scientific World Journal
title Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
title_full Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
title_fullStr Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
title_short Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics in Intestinal Diseases
title_sort mechanisms of action of probiotics in intestinal diseases
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2007.26
work_keys_str_mv AT annmohara mechanismsofactionofprobioticsinintestinaldiseases
AT fergusshanahan mechanismsofactionofprobioticsinintestinaldiseases