Probiotics or antibiotics: future challenges in medicine

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The intestinal microbiome and its metabolome are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Antibiotic consumption significantly alters the gut microbiome composition and metagenome.
• Probiotics are recognized for preventive medicine, contrasting with antibiotics' therapeutic role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the challenges and contrasting effects of antibiotics and probiotics on the intestinal microbiome.
• To explore antibiotic resistance, microbiome diversity reduction, and associated diseases.
• To examine probiotics as 'living drugs,' their epigenetic effects, and the gut microbiome's link to hygiene.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on antibiotics and probiotics.
• Analysis of the impact of antibiotics on microbiome diversity and metagenome.
• Investigation of probiotic mechanisms, including epigenetic alterations.

Main Results:

• Antibiotics are linked to reduced microbiome diversity and increased antibiotic resistance.
• Probiotics may offer benefits through epigenetic modulation and by influencing the gut microbiome.
• Individual gut microbiome specificity highlights susceptibility to environmental changes and diseases.

Conclusions:

• Antibiotics and probiotics present opposing influences on the intestinal microbiome.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between these treatments and individual gut health.
• Managing the gut microbiome requires considering both detrimental (antibiotics) and beneficial (probiotics) factors.