Live probiotic cultures and the gastrointestinal tract: symbiotic preservation of tolerance whilst attenuating pathogenicity

Abstract

Bacteria comprise the earliest form of independent life on this planet. Bacterial development has included co-operative symbiosis with plants (e.g., Leguminosae family and nitrogen fixing bacteria in soil) and animals (e.g., the gut microbiome). A fusion event of two prokaryotes evolutionarily gave rise to the eukaryote cell in which mitochondria may be envisaged as a genetically functional mosaic, a relic from one of the prokaryote cells. The discovery of bacterial inhibitors such chloramphenicol and others has been exploited to highlight mitochondria as arising from a bacterial progenitor. As such the evolution of human life has been complexly connected to bacterial activity. This is embodied, by the appearance of mitochondria in eukaryotes (alphaproteobacteria contribution), a significant endosymbiotic evolutionary event. During the twentieth century there was an increasing dependency on anti-microbials as mainline therapy against bacterial infections. It is only comparatively recently that the essential roles played by the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome in animal health and development has been recognized as opposed to the GIT microbiome being a toxic collection of micro-organisms. It is now well-documented that the GIT microbiome is comprised of a complex cohort of commensal and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Microbial interactions in the GIT provide the necessary cues for the development of regulated signals [in part by reactive oxygen species (ROS)] that promote immunological tolerance, metabolic regulation and stability, and other factors, which may then help control local and extra-intestinal end organ (e.g., kidneys) physiology. Pharmacobiotics, the administration of live probiotic cultures is an exciting growth area of potential therapeutics, developing together with an increased scientific understanding of GIT microbiome symbiosis in health and disease. Hence probiotic bacteria may provide a therapeutic connect with the GIT microbiome that can rescue mitochondrial dysfunction by linking a biologically plausible cellular signaling program (ROS reliant) between the human host and its microbiome cohort for a continued co-operative symbiosis that maintains homeostasis favorable to both.

Oral Abstracts

“…3,4 Microbial interactions in the intestines provide the necessary cues for the development of regulated signals in part by reactive oxygen species that promote immunological tolerance, metabolic regulation and stability, and other factors, which may then help control local and extra-intestinal end-organ physiology. 5 We have posited that the resident intestinal commensal cohort of micro-organisms adapt to the local environment/milieu conditions of the human host and establish a complex ecosystem in which hostmicrobe, milieu-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions oversee the composition and dynamics of the intestinal microbial and host cell communities. 5,6 A safety, tolerability and pilot exploratory study is proposed to reduce chemotherapy induced mucositis with the administration of a standardised multistrain probiotic formulation.…”

“…4-6 Supporting age-appropriate conversations about end-of-life topics, at the right times, is critical. [4][5][6] There is currently no best-practise guidance for communication of endof-life topics with Australian AYAs with cancer, and evidence indicates that current practises could be improved. 3,[7][8][9] We explored the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for AYAs with cancer, to better understand and improve the quality of current end-of-life communication practises.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of HCPs from pediatric and adult sectors, including medical, nursing, and allied health staff who had cared for at least one AYA with cancer who had died.…”

Modulating the Gut Micro-Environment in the Treatment of Intestinal Parasites

“…Modulation of the intestinal environment by probiotic bacteria can also serve as a trigger for controlling the proliferation of intestinal microbes and induces competition for the occupancy of a common biotope [28]. For example, Lactobacilli can limit nutrient availability.…”

“…For example, probiotic therapy using a multi-species probiotic formulation increased the total number of intestinal bacteria and restored the microbiota’s diversity in patients diagnosed with pouchitis [32]. Bifidobacteria shows efficacy in the allevation of gastrointestinal symptoms including constipation, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence through rebalancing of the gut microbiota [28]. Probiotic bacteria also exerts influence on the biotic environment by regulating the secretion of mucus and intestinal motility [28].…”

“…Bifidobacteria shows efficacy in the allevation of gastrointestinal symptoms including constipation, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence through rebalancing of the gut microbiota [28]. Probiotic bacteria also exerts influence on the biotic environment by regulating the secretion of mucus and intestinal motility [28]. Probiotic bacteria can also secrete active molecules (i.e., bacteriocins, antibiotics, free fatty acids, and hydrogen peroxide [33]) that can control growth and/or survival of micro-organisms inhabiting the local intestinal areas [33].…”