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Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

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...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis 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...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
08:58

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Published on: January 5, 2017

Prebiotics in chronic intestinal inflammation.

Mirjam A C Looijer-van Langen1, Levinus A Dieleman

  • 1Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|October 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Prebiotics, or fermentable fibers, show health benefits by improving gut bacteria and immune responses. These dietary interventions offer a promising, safe, and cost-effective approach for managing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

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Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
08:58

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Published on: January 5, 2017

Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice
07:34

Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice

Published on: December 16, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Prebiotics are nondigestible fibers conferring health benefits.
  • Studies indicate prebiotics are effective in experimental colitis and human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
  • Current IBD medications target host immune responses, often with toxicity and high costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the benefits of prebiotics in rodent IBD models and human patients.
  • To discuss the protective mechanisms of prebiotics in IBD.
  • To highlight the potential of prebiotics as a novel therapeutic strategy for IBD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on prebiotic effects in IBD models and patients.
  • Analysis of studies investigating changes in gut microbiota composition and immune responses.
  • Discussion of potential mechanisms of action for prebiotic therapies.

Main Results:

  • Prebiotics modulate the gut microflora towards a more protective bacterial composition.
  • Prebiotics alter both systemic and mucosal immune responses in the host.
  • Prebiotics demonstrate potential benefits in preclinical and small-scale human IBD studies.

Conclusions:

  • Prebiotics represent a promising, safe, inexpensive, and easily administered therapeutic avenue for IBD.
  • Targeting gut bacteria and their functions with prebiotics is an emerging strategy for IBD management.
  • Larger randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of dietary prebiotics in human IBD.