Prebiotics: tools to manipulate the gut microbiome and metabolome

Abstract

The human gut is an ecosystem comprising trillions of microbes interacting with the host. The composition of the microbiota and their interactions play roles in different biological processes and in the development of human diseases. Close relationships between dietary modifications, microbiota composition and health status have been established. This review focuses on prebiotics, or compounds which selectively encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria, their mechanisms of action and benefits to human hosts. We also review advances in synthesis technology for human milk oligosaccharides, part of one of the most well-characterized prebiotic–probiotic relationships. Current and future research in this area points to greater use of prebiotics as tools to manipulate the microbial and metabolic diversity of the gut for the benefit of human health.

Circulating Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites and Its Potential Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis

“…Its composition is shaped by several factors, like genetics, age, delivery pattern, diet, antibiotic use, and other treatments [112][113][114][115]. It can also be modulated by prebiotics [116,117], probiotics [118], and fecal microbiota transplantation. Bacteria in the gut are important not only in the absorption of certain vitamins and in the synthesis of bile acids, but they also have the potential to modify circulating pro-or anti-inflammatory mediators, since they are involved in the metabolism of some dietary components [119].…”

Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Paraprobiotics as a Therapeutic Alternative for Intestinal Mucositis

“…Another mechanism proposed for prebiotics is their interaction with carbohydrate receptors (mannose, fucose and C-type lectin receptors, and galectins) on immune cells [phagocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, DCs]. The production of metabolites (e.g., folate and riboflavin, vitamins, and SCFAs) during their fermentation by gut microbiota showcases antimicrobial activity and maintains a healthy gut barrier (Hosono et al, 2003;Roller et al, 2004;Furusawa et al, 2013;Comstock et al, 2014;Levit et al, 2018;Enam and Mansell, 2019).…”

The Role of Microbiota in Neutrophil Regulation and Adaptation in Newborns

“…EVs contain a variety of cargo including different proteins, phospholipids, glycolipids, nucleic acids and polysaccharides that are partially able to directly bind to pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) ( 132 , 134 , 135 ). Furthermore, supplementation by pre- and probiotics may influence the development of adaptive features by neutrophils and other innate immune cells ( 136 – 138 ). Recently, a new concept called “microbiological memory” was introduced aiming to explain the role of microbiome regulating epigenetic rearrangements and their impact on different diseases ( 139 ).…”