Class: BBT 1

Roll No.: BBT-1- 17004

PROBIOTICS AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

Probiotics are defined as living microorganisms that have beneficial effects on human health.
Probiotics have long been used to improve gastrointestinal (GI) function; however, in recent
years their beneficial systemic effects have taken front and center stage. Recent studies show
that changes in the bacterial composition of the gut are linked to various metabolic and
inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and type 2
diabetes, and allergies. The mucosal surface of the GI tract is an area where numerous
encounters with antigens or infectious agents occur. The immune properties of the digestive
mucosa are provided by the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). One of the most
interesting effects of probiotics is their ability to modulate the immune system through the
induction of cytokines. Probiotic bacteria induce the secretion of cytokines from epithelial
cells.

Anti inflammatory properties:

The key inflammatory signaling channel is nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB). This factor is
present in an inactive form in the cytoplasm, bound to an inhibitory molecule – IĸB. When
inflammatory stimuli trigger signaling pathways, this inhibitor molecule is broken down and
NF-ĸB is released to activate the inflammatory cascade. Several probiotic strains can prevent
the degradation of this inhibitory molecule, reducing the expression of proinflammatory
cytokines. A more aspecific effect is derived from the production of SCFAs (butyrate in
particular) at gut level. SCFAs are potent anti-inflammatory agents as well as increase
synthesis of antimicrobial peptides that influence inflammation resolution pathways in the
mucosa. Modulation of the balance between T helper 1 (Th1), Th2 and regulatory T (Treg)
cells is another strategy used by certain probiotic strains. Data accumulated in the past few
years have emphasized the central role of Treg cells in the formation and maintenance of
tolerance to mucosally encountered antigens and down‐regulation of ongoing inflammation.
In particular, by preventing or repairing ‘leaky’ epithelial barriers, probiotics can indirectly
affect the inflammatory response by negating the source of pro-inflammatory stimuli. Finally,
there are limited but increasing animal studies and clinical trials demonstrating probiotics do
affect common biomarkers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein, as well as signs
and symptoms of the associated diseases suggesting they can have therapeutic benefit in the
treatment of chronic inflammatory disease.

A few examples are:

1. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been found to decrease the degradation of IĸB and
thereby minimize the production of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-8.
2. The combination probiotic VSL#3 has been found to induce anti-inflammatory I L-10 in
DC culture supernatants.12 IL-10 is a Th2 cytokine that has been found to suppress IL-
12 and other inflammatory cytokines, such TNF-α.

3. Short‐term consumption of yogurt supplemented with Lactobacillus strains GR‐1 and

RC‐14 promoted the formation of a desirable anti‐inflammatory environment in the
peripheral blood of IBD patients

REPAIR OF THE HYPERPERMABLE EPITHELIAL BARRIER:

A hyperpermeable epithelial barrier in the gastrointestinal tract is proposed as a major cause
of chronic inflammation. There are a number of mechanisms whereby certain probiotic
strains can improve the structure and function of intestinal epithelial barriers, including
buttressing the physical barrier, increasing mucin production, promoting production of
antimicrobial peptides and heat shock proteins, attenuating the negative effect of pathogenic
microorganisms.
METABOLIC INFLAMMATION:

There is a central inflammatory component to metabolic disease and that the microbiome
is significantly altered in metabolic disorders. Treatment of metabolic disorders with drugs
such as metformin, or natural products such as berberine, can shift the microbiome,
increasing the production of anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids; this may be a major
mechanism through which these agents improve metabolism. Lactobacillus gasseri SBT
2055 may improve short-chain fatty acid production and reduce the low-
grade inflammation that is central in obesity and metabolic disorders.

PROBIOTIC STRAINS AND CYTOKINES:

Certain probiotic strains appear to promote the production of specific cytokines, including IL-
10 in Bacillus coagulans GB-30 which has been shown to potently induce production of anti-
inflammatory effect. Saccharomyces boulardii reduces systemic and local
proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α, increase anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels.

COMPARING IMMUNE EFFECTS OF LACTOBACILLI & BIFIDOBACTERIA:

In terms of anti-inflammatory Bifidobacteria species, Bifidobacterium breve has been found
to increase Th2- and Treg-associated cytokines in the distal colon, leading to increases of
Treg. B infantis 35624 feeding reduced inflammatory markers in patients with ulcerative
colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and psoriasis.