Role of Probiotics in Human Health

The Hygienic Significance of Microbiota and Probiotics for Human Wellbeing

The human body can be viewed as a combination of ecological niches inhabited by trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, all united by the microbiota concept. Human health largely depends on the nature of these relationships and how they are built and maintained. However, personal hygiene practices have historically been focused on the wholesale elimination of pathogens and "hygiene-challenging microorganisms" without considering the collateral damage to beneficial and commensal species. The microbiota can vary significantly in terms of the qualitative and quantitative composition both between different people and within one person during life, and the influence of various environmental factors, including age, nutrition, bad habits, genetic factors, physical activity, medication, and hygienic practices, facilitates these changes. Disturbance of the microbiota is a predisposing factor for the development of diseases and also greatly influences the course and severity of potential complications. Therefore, studying the composition of the microbiota of the different body systems and its appropriate correction is an urgent problem in the modern world. The application of personal hygiene products or probiotics must not compromise health through disruption of the healthy microbiota. Where changes in the composition or metabolic functions of the microbiome may occur, they must be carefully evaluated to ensure that essential biological functions are unaffected. As such, the purpose of this review is to consider the microbiota of each of the "ecological niches" of the human body and highlight the importance of the microbiota in maintaining a healthy body as well as the possibility of its modulation through the use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of certain human diseases.

Unveiling the Potential of Probiotics in Osteoarthritis Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease, is of increasing concern due to its debilitating nature and negative impact on quality of life. Recent investigations have explored the therapeutic potential of probiotics to alleviate OA. This review summarizes the emerging evidence for the potential role of probiotics in managing OA symptoms and disease progression. The link between gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation, a key player in OA progression is discussed in this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Probiotics may modulate gut microbiota composition, potentially reducing systemic inflammation and alleviating OA symptoms, including joint pain and function. Possible mechanisms through which probiotics may exert these effects, including dampening inflammatory pathways and enhancing intestinal barrier integrity have been highlighted. Promising results from preclinical and clinical studies investigating the specific beneficial effects of specific probiotic strain(s) for OA management have been highlighted. Finally, limitations in current research and future directions, emphasizing the need for well-designed, large-scale clinical trials to definitively establish the therapeutic potential of probiotics in OA treatment have been discussed.

Adhesion Properties and Pathogen Inhibition of Vaginal-Derived Lactobacilli

In the present study, twenty-seven (27) lactobacilli strains, isolated from the vagina of healthy Italian women of reproductive age, were screened for probiotic properties. The strains were evaluated for antagonistic activity against pathogens, adhesion abilities, and potential to displace and/or inhibit the adhesion of previously adhered pathogens as a primary strain selection criterion. Overall, all the tested lactobacilli inhibited at least three pathogens, and the majority of them exhibited antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter cloacae DSM 30054, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 3227, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 1117. The complete neutralization of antimicrobial activity after cell-free supernatant (CFS) neutralization suggested a pivotal role for lactic acid or other organic acids secreted by the lactobacilli. The strains showed variability in their adhesion levels, but all tested strains adhered to both human colonic epithelial cells (HT-29) and vaginal cells (VK2/E6E7) with adhesion percentages exceeding 1%. The ability to displace or inhibit pathogens was dependent on the pathogen and the lactobacilli strain; the pathogen displacement levels ranged from 9 to 82%, while pathogen exclusion levels varied from 1 to 99%. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the protective effect of vaginal lactobacilli against pathogens and confirms the suitability of the vaginal microbiota as a source of potential probiotic strains. The selected lactobacilli hold promise for the formulation of supplements to enhance genitourinary tract health.

Evaluation of a Burkholderia ambifaria strain from plants as a novel promising probiotic in dental caries management

Background

Probiotics serve as a novel preventive or therapeutic approach for dental caries owing to their ability to reverse dysbiosis and restore a healthy microbiota. Here, we identified Burkholderia ambifaria AFS098024 as a probiotic candidate isolated from plants.

Methods

The safety of B. ambifaria was evaluated by hemolytic activity, D-lactic acid production and antibiotic susceptibility. In vitro biofilm model derived from the saliva of caries-free and caries-active donors and in vivo rat caries model were used to assess the efficacy of B. ambifaria in caries prevention and treatment.

Results

B. ambifaria was safe as a probiotic candidate and it could integrate with in vitro biofilm model. It significantly reduced the biomass and lactate production of biofilms from caries-active donors and disrupted biofilm structures. B. ambifaria effectively reduced the severity of carious lesions in rat molars, regardless of the inoculation sequence. Molars pretreated or treated with B. ambifaria demonstrated notably higher enamel volumes. Additionally, colonization of rat molars by B. ambifaria persisted for 6 weeks.

Conclusion

The B. ambifaria strain used in this study holds promise as a probiotic for inhibiting dental caries, both in vitro and in vivo.

Evaluation of probiotics' efficiency on cariogenic bacteria: randomized controlled clinical study

BACKGROUND

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria to human health and their efficiency on oral health is still being investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species with and without the use of probiotics for six-months after the treatment of all dental caries under general anesthesia.

METHODS

Fifty-eight pediatric patients without any systemic diseases, whose dental treatments were completed under general anesthesia (GA), were included in the study. The patients were recruited in two-groups; Group A: Patients started using probiotics after GA and Group B: Patients did not use probiotics after GA. Saliva samples were taken from all patients on the day before GA (T0), at one-month (T1), three-month (T2) and six-month (T3) follow-up after GA. The counts of cariogenic bacteria were determined by the analysis of saliva samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There was statistically significant difference between Group A and B for T0, T1, T2 and T3 regarding S. mutans (p = 0.001, p = 0.04, p = 0.04, p = 0.03; p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding Lactobacillus species (p ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotic use and treatment of all caries significantly reduced the level of S. mutans but not Lactobacillus species. Furthermore, S. mutans decreased after cessation of probiotics, but it was not statistically significant.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Study was registered as "Effects of Probiotics on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species" with the registration number of NCT05859646 (16/05/2023) at https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov Protocol Registration and Results System.

Postbiotics in the Bakery Products: Applications and Nutritional Values

In recent years, the consumption of postbiotics has gained significant attention due to their potential health benefits. However, their application in the bakery industry remains underutilized. This review focuses on recent advances in the use of postbiotics, specifically the metabolites of lactic acid bacteria, in bakery products. We provide a concise overview of the multifaceted benefits of postbiotics, including their role as natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and preservatives, and their potential to enhance product quality, extend shelf-life, and contribute to consumer welfare. This review combines information from various sources to provide a comprehensive update on recent advances in the role of postbiotics in bakery products, subsequently discussing the concept of sourdough as a leavening agent and its role in improving the nutritional profile of bakery products. We highlighted the positive effects of postbiotics on bakery items, such as improved texture, flavor, and shelf life, as well as their potential to contribute to overall health through their antioxidant properties and their impact on gut health. Overall, this review emphasizes the promising potential of postbiotics to revolutionize the bakery industry and promote healthier and more sustainable food options. The integration of postbiotics into bakery products represents a promising frontier and offers innovative possibilities to increase product quality, reduce food waste, and improve consumer health. Further research into refining techniques to incorporate postbiotics into bakery products is essential for advancing the health benefits and eco-friendly nature of these vital food items.

A Comparison of Outcomes from Antibiotic Treatment with and without Probiotics in 897 Patients with Lower Urogenital Tract Infections, Including Cystitis, Urethritis, Prostatitis, and Vulvovaginitis

BACKGROUND Urogenital bacterial infections have a high incidence in humans. The most frequent cause of infections of the urogenital tract is gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotics are very effective in curing infectious diseases but they are accompanied by health complications. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are believed to confer a beneficial effect on human health when consumed in adequate amounts. This study aimed to compare outcomes from antibiotic treatment with and without the use of probiotics in 897 patients with lower urogenital tract infections, including cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and vulvovaginitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 897 patients aged 18 to 55 years were included in this research. Patients were divided into an intervention group including 460 patients (254 women, 206 men) and a comparison group including 437 patients (240 women, 197 men). The probiotics received by patients were capsules of ProBalans®. The diagnosis of cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, vulvovaginitis, and sexually transmitted infection was done using several tests, and antibiotics were used for treatment. Qualitative data were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher exact test. RESULTS We found a significant difference regarding patients' impressions of improvement after therapy between patients in the intervention group and the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS Use of probiotics together with antibiotics in the treatment of urogenital tract infection can help to reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics, increase the efficiency of antibiotic therapy, and reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics. However, further research is needed to confirm these potential health benefits.

Effects of the gut microbiota and its metabolite short-chain fatty acids on endometriosis

In recent years, a growing body of research has confirmed that the gut microbiota plays a major role in the maintenance of human health and disease. A gut microbiota imbalance can lead to the development of many diseases, such as pregnancy complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and cancer. Short-chain fatty acids are metabolites of specific intestinal bacteria and are crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and regulating metabolism and immunity. Endometriosis is the result of cell proliferation, escape from immune surveillance, and invasive metastasis. There is a strong correlation between the anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microbes and the development of endometriosis. Given that the mechanism of action of gut microbiota and Short-chain fatty acids in endometriosis remain unclear, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the complex interactions between intestinal flora, short-chain fatty acids and endometriosis. In addition, we explored potential microbial-based treatment strategies for endometriosis, providing new insights into the future development of diagnostic tests and prevention and treatment methods for endometriosis.

Advanced probiotics: bioengineering and their therapeutic application

The role of gut bacteria in human health has long been acknowledged and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been correlated with a variety of disorders. Synthetic biology has rapidly grown over the past few years offering a variety of biological applications such as harnessing the relationship between bacteria and human health. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are thought to be appropriate chassis organisms for genetic modification with potential biomedical applications. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind their beneficial qualities is essential to assist the multifunctional medicinal sectors. Effective genome editing will aid in the creation of next-generation designer probiotics with enhanced resilience and specialized capabilities, furthering our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind the physiological impacts of probiotics and their interactions with the host and microbiota. The goal of this review is to provide a brief overview of the methods used to create modified probiotics with the scientific rationale behind gene editing technology, the mechanism of action of engineered probiotics along with their application to treat conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, bacterial infections, and various metabolic diseases. In addition, application concerns and future directions are also presented.

Human and animal intestinal commensals and probiotics vs modern challenges of biosafety: problems and prospects

The appearance of an array of data on the study of the intestinal microbiota in Metazoa has significantly expanded our understanding of the role of commensals in the control of a wide range of physiological functions in higher organisms in norm and pathology. In the intestine, where the microbial load significantly exceeds the number of microorganisms of other ecosystems, the components of the intestinal microbiota are a constant source of stimuli that induce activation of the host immune system. The introduction into practice of biomedical research of innovative high-resolution methods, including   multi-omics technologies, has brought data that change our understanding of intestinal commensals, including probiotics with GRAS status, widely used in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. The ability of these bacteria to induce negative processes in the host body that are beneficial for bacterial proliferation and expansion revealed a clear lack of our knowledge about the logic of their life and the mechanisms of interaction with eukaryotic cells. This determines the urgent need for comprehensive research of probiotics and the development of standardization of their safety assessment. Apriori's confidence in the exceptional benefit of the bacteria widely used in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology has determined the seriously omission in our control system today - the lack of standardization of studies for the safety assessment of bacteria with GRAS status . The moment has come when it became clear that this gap should be promptly filled and that only exact understanding the molecular base of interacting the microbes with eukaryotic cells can provide the foundation for effective practical developments in controlling the evolution of bacterial virulence and probiotic safety strategy, as well as the competent use of genetic technologies for monitoring the environment and managing infectious processes, thus avoiding the dramatic consequences of large-scale interventions in the micro and macro worlds.

Role of probiotics in managing various human diseases, from oral pathology to cancer and gastrointestinal diseases

The imbalance of microbial composition and diversity in favor of pathogenic microorganisms combined with a loss of beneficial gut microbiota taxa results from factors such as age, diet, antimicrobial administration for different infections, other underlying medical conditions, etc. Probiotics are known for their capacity to improve health by stimulating the indigenous gut microbiota, enhancing host immunity resistance to infection, helping digestion, and carrying out various other functions. Concurrently, the metabolites produced by these microorganisms, termed postbiotics, which include compounds like bacteriocins, lactic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, contribute to inhibiting a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. This review presents an update on using probiotics in managing and treating various human diseases, including complications that may emerge during or after a COVID-19 infection.

Benefits and concerns of probiotics: an overview of the potential genotoxicity of the colibactin-producing Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain

Recently, the mounting integration of probiotics into human health strategies has gathered considerable attention. Although the benefits of probiotics have been widely recognized in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, immune system modulation, and chronic-degenerative diseases, there is a growing need to evaluate their potential risks. In this context, new concerns have arisen regarding the safety of probiotics as some strains may have adverse effects in humans. Among these strains, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) exhibited traits of concern due to a pathogenic locus in its genome that produces potentially genotoxic metabolites. As the use of probiotics for therapeutic purposes is increasing, the effects of potentially harmful probiotics must be carefully evaluated. To this end, in this narrative review article, we reported the findings of the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the expanding applications of probiotics and their impact on human well-being addressing concerns arising from the presence of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic elements, with a focus on the polyketide synthase (pks) pathogenic island of EcN. In this context, the literature data here discussed encourages a thorough profiling of probiotics to identify potential harmful elements as done for EcN where potential genotoxic effects of colibactin, a secondary metabolite, were observed. Specifically, while some studies suggest EcN is safe for gastrointestinal health, conflicting findings highlight the need for further research to clarify its safety and optimize its use in therapy. Overall, the data here presented suggest that a comprehensive assessment of the evolving landscape of probiotics is essential to make evidence-based decisions and ensure their correct use in humans.

Gut Microbiome as a Target for Anti-ageing Interventions

Trillions of various microorganisms inhabit the human intestine whilst having myriads of effects on the body. They participate in the metabolism of nutrients, support the work of the immune system, regulate operation of the nervous system, and produce vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, and a number of other compounds necessary for the host. An imbalance or disruption in the normal microbial community is called dysbacteriosis or dysbiosis. This condition is often associated with the occurrence of various pathologies including chronic low-intensity inflammation. The latter is one of the key signs of ageing. In this chapter, we consider the gut microbiome as a target for anti-ageing interventions. In particular, we describe the main functions of the gut microbiome, its changes with ageing, and discuss dysbacteriosis as a trigger of accelerated ageing. We also present anti-ageing interventions such as a diet, nutritional supplements (probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants), and exercise and how they may affect the microbiome and enable or impede healthy longevity.

Effects of postbiotics on chronic diarrhea in young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial assessing clinical symptoms, gut microbiota, and metabolite profiles

Chronic diarrhea has a considerable impact on quality of life. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover intervention trial was conducted with 69 participants (36 in Group A, 33 in Group B), aiming to investigate the potential of postbiotics in alleviating diarrhea-associated symptoms. Participants received postbiotic Probio-Eco® and placebo for 21 days each in alternating order, with a 14-day washout period between interventions. The results showed that postbiotic intake resulted in significant improvements in Bristol stool scale score, defecation frequency, urgency, and anxiety. Moreover, the postbiotic intervention increased beneficial intestinal bacteria, including Dysosmobacter welbionis and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, while reducing potential pathogens like Megamonas funiformis. The levels of gut Microviridae notably increased. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed postbiotic-driven enrichment of beneficial metabolites, including α-linolenic acid and p-methoxycinnamic acid, and reduction of diarrhea-associated metabolites, including theophylline, piperine, capsaicin, and phenylalanine. Targeted metabolomics confirmed a significant increase in fecal butyric acid after postbiotic intervention. The levels of aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine and tryptophan, and their related metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophan and kynurenine, decreased after the postbiotic intervention, suggesting diarrhea alleviation was through modulating the tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptophan-kynurenine pathways. Additionally, chenodeoxycholic acid, a diarrhea-linked primary bile acid, decreased substantially. In conclusion, postbiotics have shown promise in relieving chronic diarrhea.

Clinical Implications of Probiotics in Oral and Periodontal Health: A Comprehensive Review

Probiotic therapy represents a novel concept in dentistry. The microbial nature of dental plaque can be altered, or the probiotic strategy can efficiently inhibit oral pathogens. Probiotics are dietary supplements that are vital for boosting immunity as they include beneficial bacteria and yeast. In dentistry and medicine, the interest in probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics is increasing. By forming a biofilm and assisting in preventing dental cavities, probiotics play a crucial role in dentistry and significantly impact immunity. Prebiotics are non-digestible dietary supplements that enhance health by increasing the quantity and activity of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. It has been demonstrated that prebiotics, in addition to probiotics, can help treat oral diseases. They promote the growth and activity of beneficial organisms while inhibiting potentially harmful bacteria's growth and activity. Synbiotics are dietary supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics, believed to work in tandem through a process known as synergism. Studies have indicated that synbiotics, or a combination of probiotics with a prebiotic, may have greater efficacy than either supplement alone.