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Potential role of the intestinal microbiota in programming health and disease

Olivier Goulet1

  • 1O. Goulet is with the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology-Nutrition, National Reference Center for Rare Digestive Disease, Hôpital Necker-EnfantsMalades, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France. olivier.goulet@nck.aphp.fr.

Nutrition Reviews
|July 16, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The gut microbiota, influenced by early life factors, plays a crucial role in infant health and disease development. Modulating this microbial community may help prevent or treat various disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The gut microbiota composition is shaped by prenatal and postnatal factors, including delivery mode, feeding, and antibiotic exposure.
  • Intestinal microbiota critically influences postnatal gut function and immune system development.
  • Early microbial colonization may program the host for later disease susceptibility (microbial programming).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the influence of gut microbiota on human health and disease.
  • To explore the association between gut microbiota dysbiosis and various clinical conditions.
  • To discuss the potential of microbiota modulation for disease prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advances in microbiota research.
  • Analysis of the relationship between microbiota composition and host health outcomes.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Gut microbiota composition varies significantly based on early life exposures.
  • Dysbiosis is linked to numerous health issues, including metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Symbiotic host-bacterial interactions are essential for human health.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota is fundamental to human health, influencing development and disease risk.
  • Microbiota modulation using probiotics, prebiotics, or fermented foods shows promise for treating or preventing conditions like IBS, diarrhea, allergies, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Keywords:
cesarean deliverydysbiosisinflammatory bowel diseaseinnate immunitymicrobiotaobesitypostnatal development.

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