Dysbiosis and Prematurity: Is There a Role for Probiotics?

Abstract

Healthy microbiota is a critical mediator in maintaining health and it is supposed that dysbiosis could have a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Evidence supports the hypothesis that maternal dysbiosis could act as a trigger for preterm birth; aberrant colonization of preterm infant gut might have a role in feeding intolerance and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite several clinical trials and meta-analyses, it is still not clear if modulation of maternal and neonatal microbiota with probiotic supplementation decreases the risk of preterm birth and its complications.

The Effect of Encapsulated Powder of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) on Growth and Survival of Probiotic Bacteria

“…Concentration of Goji berry polyphenols and carbohydrates in liquid and dried-encapulated Goji berry extract (LGBE and DGBE, respectively), as well as maltodextrin or SiO2 concentration added in liquid Goji berry extracts (LGBE) before encapsulation of the three samples of dried-encapsulated Goji berry powder used in this study. 19.69 ± 0.49 0.65 ± 0.11 3 28.24 ± 0.81 970 ± 6.4 20 (maltodextrin) + 10 (SiO2) 55.84 ± 0.52 0.94 ± 0.1…”

“…According to the findings of the present research, it can be suggested that the Goji berry encapsulated extracts could be used as prebiotic additives in food or nutraceuticals, in order to stimulate growth or protect the viability of probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.Microorganisms 2020, 8, 57 2 of 14 lung disorders, and anticancer activity [10][11][12], thanks to which, L. barbarum fruit has recently gained increasing popularity in Europe and North America [12].Recently Goji berries have been also positively evaluated for their prebiotic potential in foods like yogurt [13], since their polysaccharides may be selectively utilized by some probiotic bacteria [14], although a potential prebiotic effect may be also linked to other molecules like polyphenols, which may stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria in the gut, or inhibit the growth of antagonistic bacteria in the complex intestinal microbiota [15].Gut colonization by beneficial probiotic bacteria is recognized as an essential parameter for intestinal health, and human health in general. It occurs in early life, as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species attach to the gastrointestinal tract, which is necessary for establishing the gut mucosal barrier, maturation and modulation of the immune system, preventing infections by enteric pathogens and improving gastrointestinal function, digestion, and metabolism [16][17][18][19][20]. Nowadays, the presence (or supplementation) of certain probiotic bacteria, prebiotics or symbiotics (mixed preparations of probiotics and prebiotics) in the gastrointestinal tract is linked to prevention or reduced risk of ulcer, gastroenteritis, inflammation, colon cancer and metabolic syndrome (the latter involving hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and potential hypoglycemic activity) as well as preterm birth and neonatal gastrointestinal disorder [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…Gut colonization by beneficial probiotic bacteria is recognized as an essential parameter for intestinal health, and human health in general. It occurs in early life, as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species attach to the gastrointestinal tract, which is necessary for establishing the gut mucosal barrier, maturation and modulation of the immune system, preventing infections by enteric pathogens and improving gastrointestinal function, digestion, and metabolism [16][17][18][19][20]. Nowadays, the presence (or supplementation) of certain probiotic bacteria, prebiotics or symbiotics (mixed preparations of probiotics and prebiotics) in the gastrointestinal tract is linked to prevention or reduced risk of ulcer, gastroenteritis, inflammation, colon cancer and metabolic syndrome (the latter involving hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and potential hypoglycemic activity) as well as preterm birth and neonatal gastrointestinal disorder [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

The Interplay Between Reproductive Tract Microbiota and Immunological System in Human Reproduction

“…Postnatal dietary strategies, including human colostrum/milk or prebiotics/probiotics, reduce morbidities in preterm infants (163). Evidence of prenatal strategies to support reproductive success and fetal health is slowly emerging: modulation of early microbiota in pregnancy shows promising effects (168). Maternal bacteria were shown to enter the gastrointestinal tract of the fetus (169) and microbiota alteration in the neonate and placenta is detectable in pregnant women receiving probiotics (170) but still under debate (14).…”

Individual variations in intestinal microbiota were higher in preterm infants with necrotising enterocolitis than healthy controls

“…This contributes to NEC lesions, particularly because the immature intestinal host defences of premature infants predispose them to gut injury . Modulation of gut microbiota may become an efficient preventive approach for NEC pathogenesis …”