Probiotics: A Critical Review of Their Potential Role as Antihypertensives, Immune Modulators, Hypocholesterolemics, and Perimenopausal Treatments

Abstract

The conventional use of probiotics to modulate gastrointestinal health, such as in improving lactose intolerance, increasing natural resistance to infectious diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, suppressing traveler's diarrhea, and reducing bloating, has been well investigated and documented. Most of the mechanisms reported to date are mainly caused by the suppression of pathogenic bacteria. Currently, the potential applications of probiotics are being expanded beyond alleviating gastrointestinal disorders to include benefits involving antihypertension, immunomodulation, improving serum lipid profiles, and the alleviation of postmenopausal disorders. Although they seem promising, most of these postulated benefits are based on in vitro evaluations, and the lack of in vivo evidence and/or incompatible outcomes between in vitro experiments and in vivo trials has led to inconclusive claims. This present review highlights some of the previous roles of probiotics on gut health and addresses several potential roles currently being investigated.

Lactobacillus reuteri ingestion and IKCa channel blockade have similar effects on rat colon motility and myenteric neurones

“…Various therapeutic effects have been ascribed to L. reuteri and other probiotics including correction of functional dysmotility, moderation of inflammation associated disease states [69][70][71] and hypertension. 72 The molecular physiological and anatomical pathways via which commensal bacteria exert their effects on the host are far from being elucidated. Nevertheless, action on spinal neurones, 7,51 vagal nerves 73,74 and the central nervous system, 75,76 as well as intestinal epithelial cells 5 has been demonstrated.…”

Growth characteristics of agrowaste‐immobilised lactobacilli in soymilk during refrigerated storage

“…Probiotics can be defined as 'live microbial feed supplements that exert beneficial effects to the host by positively influencing the intestinal microbial balance' (Adhikari et al, 2000). Lactobacilli have been reported to exhibit several clinically proven health effects, such as alleviation of lactose intolerance, enhancement of immune potency, antitumorigenic activities, antihypertensive properties, reduction in diarrhoeas of different origins and improvement in the intestinal microbial balance (Liong, 2007).…”

Effect of electroporation on viability and bioconversion of isoflavones in mannitol‐soymilk fermented by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria

“…Probiotics have gained much attention owing to their well-documented healthpromoting effects such as inhibition of intestinal pathogens, activation of the immune system and regulation of microbial balance in the gut. 2 Soybean (Glycine max) is well known as a high-protein vegetarian diet. It also contains a heterogeneous source of carbohydrates (raffinose, stachyose, sucrose and glucose) and is known as a low-glycaemic-index food.…”