Probiotics and Functional Foods in Immunosupressed Hosts

Ivanna Novotny Nunez Martin Manuel Palomar , 

Alejandra de Moreno de LeBlanc Carolina Maldonado Galdeano, and Gabriela Perdigon - -  

The intestinal ecosystem is a complex microenvironment constituted by eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells where a complex network of signals that maintain the intestinal homeostasis is established. The gut microbiota is an important component of this ecosystem commensal bactaia are key players participating in the digestion process, vitamin synthesis, and other metabolite production (bile acids, lipids, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids), which are important for maintaining health in mammals (Brestoff and Artis 2013). However, it is known that the commensal microbiota is not in direct contact with the epithelial cells due to the presence of the mucus layer (Johansson et al. 2011). 

In healthy patients, the intestinal microbiota is characterized by its stability and diversity, but during metabolic and inflammatory diseases, the composition of the gut microbiota suffers alterations 

Biotechnology of Lactic Acid Bacteria Novel Applications, Second Edition. Edited by Fernanda Mozzi, Raiil R. Raya, and Graciela M. Vignolo. 

---