Health‐beneficial effects of probiotics: Its mode of action

Abstract

It is now widely recognized that probiotics have health-beneficial effects on humans and animals. Probiotics should survive in the intestinal tract to exert beneficial effects on the host's health. To keep a sufficient level of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, a shorter interval between doses may be required. Although adherence to the intestinal epithelial cell and mucus is not a universal property of probiotics, high ability to adhere to the intestinal surface might strongly interfere with infection of pathogenic bacteria and regulate the immune system. The administration of probiotic Lactobacillus stimulated indigenous Lactobacilli and the production of short-chain fatty acids. This alteration of the intestinal environment should contribute to maintain the host's health. The immunomodulatory effects of probiotics are related to important parts of their beneficial effects. Probiotics may modulate the intestinal immune response through the stimulation of certain cytokine and IgA secretion in intestinal mucosa. The health-beneficial effects, in particular the immunomodulation effect, of probiotics depend on the strain used. Differences in indigenous intestinal microflora significantly alter the magnitude of the effects of a probiotic. Specific probiotic strains suitable for each animal species and their life stage as well as each individual should be found.

The Impact of Probiotics on the Gastrointestinal Physiology

“…The changes in motility can make symptoms varying from constipation to diarrhea come into being (Ohashi & Ushida, 2009). The interest to probiotics, due to their motility regulatory effects, is rising in functional gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Cell surface proteins play an important role in probiotic activities of Lactobacillus reuteri

“…Mechanisms of competitive exclusion of pathogens include the ability to adhere to host cells, often exerted through the same type of adhesins employed by pathogens as a strategy for gut colonization. In addition to other factors, probiotic bacterial adherence is often associated with the immunological effects of probiotic bacteria and with the interference of the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria [4].…”

Rapid Induction of an Immune Response in Rat Peyer's Patch after Oral Administration of Enterococcus faecalis Strain EC-12

“…1) Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and immune cells in Peyer's patch (PP), especially antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and dendritic cells, are the cells with which LAB likely establish interactions. Thus direct contact of LAB with these cells, e.g., being recognized by IECs or taken up to PPs through M cells, can be regarded as one of the most important events in successful immunomodulation by LAB.…”