Department of Pediatrics, Makassed University General Hospital, Lebanonl
Received: May 19, 2017 Published: May 25, 2017
Corresponding author: Aziz Koleilat, Department of Pediatrics, Beirut Arab University, Vice General Secretary of Pan Arab Society Pediatric
Gastroenterology Hepatology And Nutrition, Makassed University General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
One of the hottest topics in the 21st century is “probiotics“.
A although probiotics are now world wide spread and many
papers, research and studies are performed about it , but still it
is not completely explored , researches are done to test it in every
communicable and non-communicable disease and still going
on [1]. The field of paediatric gastroenterology and especially
intestinal infection is the interest of most pediatricians. Probiotic
as a definition “which changed over the years” is: a “live microorganisms
which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer
a health benefit on the host” [2]. Probiotics are viable microbial
dietary supplement. They are living micro-organisms used as
food additives having a beneficial effect on the host by improving
digestion and intestinal hygiene [3,4]. There are many function and
characteristic in probiotics, but its use in gastrointestinal diseases
is unique.
Recognition of the immunomodulatory roles of probiotic
bacteria is now promoting opportunities for use of these
microorganisms in many fields in gastrointestinal infections. The
survival issues of probiotics are associated with their establishment
in the competitive gut ecosystem. The use of probiotics may induce
a ‘barrier’ influence against common pathogens and antigens by
activating macrophages, altering cytokines, increasing natural
killer cell activity, and/or increasing levels of immunoglobulins.
Since the generation of immunophysiological regulation in the
gut which depends on the establishment of indigenous microflora
and on the therapeutic interventions based on the consumption of
cultures of beneficial live microorganisms that act as probiotics.
One of possible mechanisms of probiotics is promotion of a nonimmunologic
gut defence barrier, which includes the normalization
of increased intestinal permeability (dysbiosis) and gut micro
ecology [5]. The role and effect of probiotics in infant feeding, on
the mucosal permeability & microbial flora composition and in turn
on the stabilization of Th1/Th2 & IgE production has been tested.
Another possible mechanism of probiotics is improvement of
the intestine’s immunologic barrier, particularly through intestinal
immunoglobulin, alleviation of intestinal inflammatory reaction that promote a gut-stabilizing effect. Many probiotics effects are
mediated through immune regulation, particularly through balance
control of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines [6].
So, probiotics can be used as innovative tools to alleviate intestinal
inflammation, normalize gut mucosal dysfunction, and downregulate
hypersensitivity reactions. There are differences that exist
in the immunomodulatory effects of candidate probiotics bacteria
[7]. Specific immunomodulatory properties of Probiotics bacteria
should be characterized when developing clinical applications
for extended target populations. Probiotics as a conclusion are
a therapeutic class being increasingly used for a variety of GI
disorders. Probiotics appear to alter intestinal microflora and may
exert their effects by a variety of mechanisms. Many species of
probiotics exist and it is generally accepted that all probiotics are
not created equal. Efficacy may be due to a single strain or multiple
strains or a combination of different probiotics. Probiotics do not
provide additional benefit compared with standard therapy alone.
ISSN: 2574 -1241
