The Application of Metabolomics to Probiotic and Prebiotic Interventions in Human Clinical Studies

Abstract

There is an ever-increasing appreciation for our gut microbiota that plays a crucial role in the maintenance of health, as well as the development of disease. Probiotics are live bacteria that are consumed to increase the population of beneficial bacteria and prebiotics are dietary substrates intended to promote the propagation of beneficial bacteria. In order to optimize the use of probiotics and prebiotics, a more complete biochemical understanding of the impact that these treatments have on the community and functioning of the gut microbiota is required. Nucleic acid sequencing methods can provide highly detailed information on the composition of the microbial communities but provide less information on the actual function. As bacteria impart much of their influence on the host through the production of metabolites, there is much to be learned by the application of metabolomics. The focus of this review is on the use of metabolomics in the study of probiotic and prebiotic treatments in the context of human clinical trials. Assessment of the current state of this research will help guide the design of future studies to further elucidate the biochemical mechanism by which probiotics and prebiotics function and pave the way toward more personalized applications.

The Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Gut Microbiota, Metabolite Profiles and Host Mucosal Response in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…Metabolites reflect the function of the gut microbial community and influence host health [16]. Together with the microbiota sequencing, the metabolite profiling contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of action of prebiotics [51]. For example, a dietary intervention based on a yogurt with symbiotic properties led to altered concentrations of serum metabolites such as acetone, choline, leucine and homocysteine, increased cell counts of fecal Lactobacillus and improved GI health in IBS-D patients [52].…”

Shaping the Future of Probiotics and Prebiotics

“…OPEN ACCESS would enable deeper understanding of these interventions and their potential for precision application. Calls have been made for increased use of integrated, multi-omic approaches to characterise probiotic and prebiotic effects, including metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metabolomic technologies [79,80]. Recognition of the relevance of effects within the mucosal microbiome will likely predict inclusion of more invasive sampling in future trials as well as the development of noninvasive techniques for sampling different regions of the gut [60].…”

Effects of probiotics on inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review

“…More than 25 diseases are associated with microbiota alteration, including autoimmune diseases, emotional disorders, obesity, acute infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis, IBD, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which could benefit from the use of probiotics. The use of probiotics is safe in every age, more cautiously in immunosuppressed patients [19][20][21].…”