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Review
. 2010 Dec;29(6):701-25.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2010.05.004. Epub 2010 Jun 23.

Therapeutical use of probiotic formulations in clinical practice

T Iannitti  1 , B Palmieri
Affiliations
Review

Therapeutical use of probiotic formulations in clinical practice

T Iannitti et al. Clin Nutr. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

Background & aims: The spreading of gastrointestinal diseases is growing all over the world. Although for some of them an effective therapeutic approach has been found, palliation rather than cure is very frequent due to a partial knowledge of their aetiology and pathogenesis. This review, analyzing the main clinical studies, aims at being a state of the art update of the use of probiotic formulations in daily practice.

Methods: In this review we include all the most significant clinical trials involving the use of probiotic formulations for the treatment of several pathologies.

Results: Dysbiosis has been observed in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Probiotics may exert a beneficial effect on Crohn's disease affected patients who have shown gut microbiota antigens and altered wall permeability. Moreover some probiotic formulations seem to enhance the therapy for Helicobacter Pylori reducing its pathogenic potential. Intestinal ecology imbalance has been also linked to cancer induction, allergy, skin and urogenital diseases. In addition probiotics administration seems to be particularly useful to ease post-operative complications.

Conclusion: Further future clinical trials, involving large numbers of patients, will be mandatory to achieve definite evidence of the preventive and curative role of probiotics in medical practice.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Picture reported from “Dibaise et al. Gut Microbiota and Its Possible Relationship With Obesity”. Key physiologic and microbiological features of the gut, relative concentrations of bacteria and the pH at various locations within the adult gut are shown (cfu = colony-forming unit).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Figure reported from Round et al. The gut microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses during health and disease.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Common prebiotics supplements and their main functions.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Commercially used probiotic strains.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
FOS activities and therapeutical uses.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
A. Criteria for classifying a bacterial strain as a probiotic. B. Bifidobacteria benefits on human health. Main therapeutic and nutritional effects of Lactobacilli., ,
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Dibaise John K., Zhang Husen, Crowell Michael D., Krajmalnik-Brown Rosa, Anton Decker G., Rittmann Bruce E. Gut microbiota and its possible relationship with obesity. Mayo Clin Proc. April 2008;83(4):460–546. - PubMed
    1. Probiotics. A publication of the institute of food technologists’ expert panel on food safety and nutrition. vol. 53, No. 11 November 1999.

MeSH terms