Probiotic Gastrointestinal Transit and Colonization After Oral Administration: A Long Journey

Abstract

Orally administered probiotics encounter various challenges on their journey through the mouth, stomach, intestine and colon. The health benefits of probiotics are diminished mainly due to the substantial reduction of viable probiotic bacteria under the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and the colonization resistance caused by commensal bacteria. In this review, we illustrate the factors affecting probiotic viability and their mucoadhesive properties through their journey in the gastrointestinal tract, including a discussion on various mucosadhesion-related proteins on the probiotic cell surface which facilitate colonization.

Gelatin-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Kluyveromyces lactis Encapsulation: Potential Applications in Probiotics and Bioreactor Packings

“…This is also the case of whole cells, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and beneficial molecules such as bivalent fusion protein r-BL with recombinant protein U-Omp19, Garcinia mangostana L. ethanolic extract, and insulin [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. As these bioactive Biomolecules 2021, 11, 922 2 of 19 molecules reach the small intestine lumen, they need to come across an extracellular mucus layer to finally reach the surface of the brush border for absorption [12]. Such a physiological barrier poses a significant obstacle for absorption of administered compounds since the thickness varies from 30 to 300 µm, increasing from the intestine to the rectum [12].…”

“…As these bioactive Biomolecules 2021, 11, 922 2 of 19 molecules reach the small intestine lumen, they need to come across an extracellular mucus layer to finally reach the surface of the brush border for absorption [12]. Such a physiological barrier poses a significant obstacle for absorption of administered compounds since the thickness varies from 30 to 300 µm, increasing from the intestine to the rectum [12]. Consequently, only a tiny fraction (tight junction proteins allow the exchange of molecules with molecular weight < 500 Da [13]) made it to the systemic circulation.…”

“…Regarding the upper portion of the GI tract, the oral cavity is the first compartment where encapsulates are subjected to mechanical stresses and enzymatic degradation conditions provided by saliva. The transit is slow, and the cell viability impact is imperceptible [12]. The stomach is the second compartment where encapsulates are exposed to harsh conditions.…”

“…At the same time, this layer maintains the cells relatively isolated from the ingested nutritious or pharmacological substances. Therefore, they need to overcome this extra resistance to transport prior to absorption [12]. Mucus provides a physical barrier since it is formed by a negatively charged fibrous mesh.…”

Colonization of Clostridium butyricum in Rats and Its Effect on Intestinal Microbial Composition

“…strain Ab1 can successfully colonize the digestive tract of different fish species, and P. acidilactici can remain in the intestine for at least 17 days without continual dietary administration [ 11 ]. However, some studies have also shown that probiotics ingested by humans are excreted in large quantities shortly after drug administration [ 12 ]. Similarly, Grimm et al indicated that Bifidobacteria could not colonize the intestine of specific pathogen-free mice, but were able to colonize the intestine of germ-free mice [ 13 ].…”