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Probiotic manipulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota

Marcus Rauch1, Susan V Lynch

  • 1Colitis and Crohn's Disease Center; Division of Gastroenterology; Department of Medicine; University of California at San Francisco; San Francisco, CA USA.

Gut Microbes
|February 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

High abundance of Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus GG (LGG) profoundly restructured infant gut microbiota. This suggests probiotics promote a stable gut ecosystem beneficial for immune health.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Infant gut microbiota composition is crucial for immune system development.
  • Probiotic supplementation is explored for its potential health benefits.
  • Early life gut microbiome alterations are linked to asthma risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of high Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus GG (LGG) abundance on infant gut microbiota.
  • To evaluate the role of probiotic-induced gut ecosystem changes in immune health.
  • To support the hypothesis that stable gut microbiota benefits host immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota composition in infants.
  • Comparison of microbiota in infants with high vs. low LGG abundance.
  • Review of recent data in the context of probiotic effects.

Main Results:

  • High LGG abundance led to profound GI microbiota restructuring.
  • Microbiota became more even and functionally redundant with high LGG.
  • Evidence supports probiotic-induced stable gut ecosystems.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic supplementation, specifically LGG, significantly alters infant gut microbiota.
  • A stable and resilient gut ecosystem enriched with beneficial species is key.
  • This ecosystem supports host immune function through direct and indirect mechanisms.

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