Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
07:18
Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers
Published on: January 9, 2026
Probiotics and mucosal barrier in children
Francisco J Penna1, Luciano A Péret, Leda Q Vieira
1School of Medicine bInstitute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. franciscopenna@terra.com.br
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|August 8, 2008
Summary
Probiotics may help mature and maintain the intestinal barrier in children, potentially preventing infectious and inflammatory diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and interactions within the gut ecosystem.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- The gut microbiota is crucial for intestinal maturation and protection against pathogens in newborns.
- The microbiota functions as a 'microbial organ,' contributing significantly to host health.
- Factors can disrupt microbiota colonization and maintenance, impacting intestinal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on the use of probiotics and their impact on the intestinal barrier in children.
- To explore the role of probiotics in counteracting perturbations in gut microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific papers.
- Analysis of data from animal models, cell cultures, and clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Probiotics show potential in preventing infectious and inflammatory diseases linked to compromised mucosal barrier functions.
- Evidence suggests probiotics influence the maturation and maintenance of the intestinal barrier in pediatric populations.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics appear to play a role in regulating the intestinal barrier in children.
- Limited human data necessitates further well-controlled clinical trials to elucidate probiotic mechanisms and their interaction with the gut ecosystem.
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...
01:25Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach
The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
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...
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...