Probiotics effects

The results of many studies (Perin et al, 2000 Schrezenmeir and de Vrese, 2001 Shin et al, 2000 Gmeiner et al, 2000) point to a synergistic effect of probiotic and prebiotic combinations on the faecal microbiota of experimental animals. This effect was demonstrated by increased total anaerobes, aerobes, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria counts as well as by decreased Clostridia, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli counts. The combination of probiotics and non-digestible carbohydrates may be a way of stabilisation and/or improvement of the probiotic effect. 

Zyrek, A. A., Cichon, C., Helms, S., Enders, C., Sonnenborn, U., and Schmidt, M. A. (2007). Molecular mechanisms underlying the probiotic effects of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 involve ZO-2 and PKCzeta redistribution resulting in tight junction and epithelial barrier repair. Cell Microbiol. 9(3), 804-816. 

Bomba, A., Nemcova, R., Gancarikova, S., Gerich, R., Guba, P., and Midronova, D., Improvement of the probiotic effect of microorganisms by their combination with maltodextrines, fructo-oligosaccharides and polyunsaturated fatty acids, Br. J. Nutr., 88, S95-S99, 2002. 

Identification of physiologically relevant biomarkers that can be used to assess parameters of probiotic effectiveness in humans (strain, dose, strain growth, delivery conditions)... 

Further information concerning the molecular basis of probiotic strains can have an impact on the development of strains with safe and effective novel probiotic effects. There is enormous potential for metabolic engineering, as has already been demonstrated for several LAB. Indigenous bacteria vectors, such as Lactobacillus, might be considered safer than the Salmonella and virus vectors presently considered for these purposes. 

The use of prebiotics in association with useful probiotics may be a worthwhile approach, as prebiotics preferentially stimulate some probiotic strains. Combination of probiotic and prebiotic as synbiotic can also enhance probiotic effectiveness. 

Erdeve, O., Tiras, U., and Dallar, Y. The probiotic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in a pediatric age group, /. Trap. Pediatr., 50, 234, 2004. 

Klayraung, S. Viernstein, H. Okonogi, S. Development of tablets eontaining probiotics Effects of formulation and processing parameters on bacterial viability. Int. J. Pharm. 2009,370 (1-2), 54-60. 

Leyer, G. J., Li, S., Mubasher, M. E., Reifer, C., Ouwehand, A. C. (2009). Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-hke symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics, 124(2), el72-el79. 

VasUjevic, T., Shah, N. P. (2007). Fermented milk health benefits beyond probiotic effect. In Y. H. Hui (Ed.), Handbook of food products manufacturing (pp. 99-115). Hoboken John Wiley Sons, Inc.. 

Finally, three strains of Lactobacillus reuteri have been used for GEMM reconstrac-tion. Lactobacillus reuteri JCMl 12 had been used for medium optimization to enhance vitamin B12 biosynthesis by insertion of the biosynthetic pathway from Lactobacillus plantarum WCFSl (Santos et al 2008). Furthermore, two isolates derived from breast milk have been used for metabolic model reconstructions (Saulnier et al 2011). Lactobacillus reuteri strain 55730 has been identified as an important probiotic strain, and hence efforts were made to identify its functional properties via the integration of omics data, in particular, the amino acid biosynthesis capacity and vitamin production were detailed thanks to the model and proposed as part of traits enhancing probiotic effects. Such study represents an important step toward a metagenome-scale model and its application in industrial fermentations (Branco Dos Santos, De Vos, Teusink, 2013). 

Probiotic fodder preparations are regarded as a potential alternative to feed antibiotics, so the use of probiotics is considered an essential point of obtaining ecologically clean feed [1-5]. Probiotic preparations balanced with phytochemicals, show an enhanced biological activity due to the combination of the actual probiotic effect and the action of a phytobiotic. 

For prebiotics, there are problems if the gut flora does not contain their target microorganisms and there are a more limited range of available products than there are probiotics. Effects of prebiotics would be easier to define if their influence on the gut microflora could be standardized, that is, are any changes that ensue consistent across populations ... 

It can be concluded that there are a myriad of possibilities to apply bacteriocins into new and alternative means to fight infectious and damaging bacteria, but still further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying their probiotic effects. 

The impact of these ecosystems and of LAB on host health and the mechanisms that govern then-relationship and interaction with the animal hosts are still poorly documented and understood. The molecular bases of the probiotic effects are difficult to investigate in vivo, but can be approached through animal models, cell cultures, and in vitro assays. Such studies improve our knowledge in the field and help in setting better selection criteria for new probiotic candidates. In this chapter, we wDl review recent data upon the potential of LAB to improve animal productions and animal health and well-being. 

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