Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:38
A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants
Published on: May 1, 2013
New insights into Lactobacillus and functional intestinal disorders
1Department of Gastroenterology, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy. lombodilucio@yahoo.it
Minerva Gastroenterologica E Dietologica
|July 11, 2008
Summary
Genetically stable Lactobacilli strains show promise for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by restoring gut health. These probiotics offer a safe, long-term therapeutic option for IBS patients, with careful evaluation recommended.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Microbiology
- Focus on the gut microbiome's role in digestive health
- Exploration of probiotic therapeutic potential
Background:
- Intestinal microflora, including Lactobacilli, plays a crucial role in gut health and immune function.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is associated with decreased Lactobacilli levels and low-grade intestinal inflammation.
- Previous enteritis can contribute to IBS development, impacting immune markers like interleukin-10 (IL-10).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of genetically stable Lactobacilli strains for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of specific Lactobacilli strains in managing gastrointestinal disorders.
- To highlight the importance of genetic stability and antibiotic resistance profiles in probiotic selection.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies assessing Lactobacilli's effect on smooth muscle cell hypercontractility.
- Review of clinical findings on the use of genetically stable and unstable Lactobacilli strains.
- Analysis of adverse events associated with specific probiotic applications in vulnerable patient groups.
Main Results:
- Certain Lactobacilli strains, like L. paracasei subsp. paracasei, can normalize smooth muscle hypercontractility in vitro.
- Genetically stable Lactobacilli strains demonstrate potential for long-term IBS treatment and reducing postoperative infections.
- Genetically unstable strains have been linked to adverse events like bacteremia and endocarditis in specific patient populations.
Conclusions:
- Genetically stable Lactobacilli, such as L. paracasei subsp. Paracasei F19, offer a safe and promising option for IBS treatment.
- Confirmed genetic stability and absence of antibiotic resistance are critical for safe probiotic use in gastrointestinal disorders.
- Further clinical studies are needed to validate the role of genetically stable Lactobacilli in personalized IBS management.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:18Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...