Probiotic supplements might not be universally-effective and safe: A review

Kothari, Damini; Patel, Seema; Kim, Soo‐Ki

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.104

Cited by 293 publications

(189 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Probiotics are generally safe for consumption, except for immune-compromised and critically sick individuals wherein probiotics may cause sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis and allergies (Didari et al, 2014). Still, it has been viewed by some that more human trials are required to establish the dosage efficacy and long-term safety profile of probiotics (Kothari et al, 2018). For antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs, side effects occur in 40-60% of users which include sexual dysfunction, suicidality, emotional numbness and addiction (Read and Williams, 2018).…”

Section: Advantages Of Probiotics As Antidepressive Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

et al. 2020

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The accumulating knowledge of the host-microbiota interplay gives rise to the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. The MGB axis depicts the interkingdom communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. This communication process involves the endocrine, immune and neurotransmitters systems. Dysfunction of these systems, along with the presence of gut dysbiosis, have been detected among clinically depressed patients. This implicates the involvement of a maladaptive MGB axis in the pathophysiology of depression. Depression refers to symptoms that characterize major depressive disorder (MDD), a mood disorder with a disease burden that rivals that of heart diseases. The use of probiotics to treat depression has gained attention in recent years, as evidenced by increasing numbers of animal and human studies that have supported the antidepressive efficacy of probiotics. Physiological changes observed in these studies allow for the elucidation of probiotics antidepressive mechanisms, which ultimately aim to restore proper functioning of the MGB axis. However, the understanding of mechanisms does not yet complete the endeavor in applying probiotics to treat MDD. Other challenges remain which include the heterogeneous nature of both the gut microbiota composition and depressive symptoms in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, probiotics offer some advantages over standard pharmaceutical antidepressants, in terms of residual symptoms, side effects and stigma involved. This review outlines antidepressive mechanisms of probiotics based on the currently available literature and discusses therapeutic potentials of probiotics for depression.

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Section: Advantages Of Probiotics As Antidepressive Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

et al. 2020

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“…Although it is possible that probiotics may reduce post‐transplant infections, there have been concerns regarding the possibility of sepsis associated with probiotic use as a result of administered probiotic strains becoming opportunistic infections in the setting of impaired immune defences . For example, sepsis due to a variety of micro‐organisms, such as Escherichia coli , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Lactobacillus casei , Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Bifidobacterium longum , have been reported following probiotic use in both adult and paediatric patients with critical illnesses, such as short‐gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis and prostate malignancy . It is unclear whether this situation also applies to organ transplant recipients and further studies will be required to evaluate this safety issue.…”

Section: Therapeutic Opportunitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…58 However, the major limitation with this meta-analysis was that the synbiotics administered in each study had colitis and prostate malignancy. 59 It is unclear whether this situation also applies to organ transplant recipients and further studies will be required to evaluate this safety issue.…”

Section: Therapeutic Opportunitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transplant associated infections—The role of the gastrointestinal microbiota and potential therapeutic options

et al. 2019

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Infectious complications are common following kidney transplantation and rank in the top five causes of death in patients with allograft function. Over the last 5 years, there has been emerging evidence that changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota following kidney transplantation may play a key role in the pathogenesis of transplant‐associated infections. Different factors have emerged which may disrupt the interaction between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the immune system, which may lead to infective complications in kidney transplant recipients. Over the last 5 years, there has been emerging evidence that changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota following kidney transplantation may play a key role in the pathogenesis of transplant‐associated infections. This review will discuss the structure and function of the gastrointestinal microbiota, the changes that occur in the gastrointestinal microbiota following kidney transplantation and the factors underpinning these changes, how these changes may lead to transplant‐associated infectious complications and potential treatments which may be instituted to mitigate this risk.

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“…Although none of the studies reported any major adverse effects, their safety has yet to be established. Although the use of probiotics in healthy individuals is considered safe, use in the presence of chronic health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, leaky gut, or post‐organ transplant may result in opportunistic infection . None of the studies evaluated the treatment's ability to decrease risk factors associated with BV such as STI acquisition and pregnancy complications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterial Vaginosis: A Clinical Update with a Focus on Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Falconi-McCahill¹

2019

J Midwife Womens Health

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Bacterial vaginosis is a prevalent vaginal infection that affects women of all ages. Presenting symptoms include a vaginal discharge that is thin and white and has a fishy odor. This infection is associated with the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections as well as premature labor and preterm birth. Recurrence rates after treatment are high, and medication adverse effects are common, leading many women to seek alternative therapies to manage and prevent recurrence. Many of these treatments are searchable online, and ingredients are easily obtainable. The purpose of this article is to review the state of the science regarding the safety and efficacy of alternative therapies for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women.

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Probiotic supplements might not be universally-effective and safe: A review

Cited by 293 publications

References 112 publications

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

Transplant associated infections—The role of the gastrointestinal microbiota and potential therapeutic options

Bacterial Vaginosis: A Clinical Update with a Focus on Complementary and Alternative Therapies

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