SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Probiotic”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of antibiotic preparations and their combinations with probiotics on the intestinal microflora of mice].

Antibiotic drugs (biseptol, polymyxin, canamycin) as well as their combinations with probiotics biosporin and subalin have been studied for their effect on mice intestine microflora. It has been established that under peroral administration of the above drugs dysbacteriosis of the 2-3rd degrees arises in animals; under their combined use with probiotics one can prevent the development of dysbacteriosis to considerable extent. It has been shown that dysbacteriosis of the 2-3rd degrees can be liquidated for 5-7 days, using probiotics biosporin and subalin. No self-recovery of normal intestinal microbiocenosis is observed in this period. Inconsiderable variations in the composition of normoflora under combined use of antibiotics with probiotics are renewed on the 3-5th day after stopping the drugs intake.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Rapid reversal of hyperoxaluria in a rat model after probiotic administration of Oxalobacter formigenes.

PURPOSE: The gut inhabiting bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes may be a negative risk factor in recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stone disease that apparently maintains oxalic acid homeostasis in its host via the degradation of dietary oxalate. The possibility of using this bacterium as probiotic treatment to reduce urinary oxalate was investigated in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on a diet supplemented with ammonium oxalate to induce a state of severe hyperoxaluria. Subgroups of these rats received an esophageal gavage of 1 x 10(3), 10(5), 10(7) or 10(9) O. formigenes per feeding for a 2-week period. Each rat was followed for general health and changes in urinary oxalate. RESULTS: Rats with chronic hyperoxaluria resulting from high dietary oxalate that were treated with O. formigenes showed decreased urinary oxalate within 2 days of initiating probiotic supplementation. The amount of the decrease in a 2-week period proved directly proportional to the dose of bacteria. Urinary oxalate in rats receiving higher amounts of O. formigenes returned to almost normal. Throughout the study the rats remained healthy with no signs of toxicity, antibody development or a histopathological condition. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotic treatment of hyperoxaluric rats with O. formigenes may significantly and rapidly reduce the level of oxalate in the urine. This probiotic treatment appears to be safe and well tolerated. The approach may be feasible for treating calcium oxalate kidney stone disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Prebiotic treatment of experimental colitis with germinated barley foodstuff: a comparison with probiotic or antibiotic treatment.

There is increasing evidence that intestinal microflora play an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Therefore, modification of the microflora by prebiotics, probiotics, and antibiotics may be a rational approach for controlling intestinal inflammation. Germinated barley food-stuff (GBF) is an insoluble mixture of glutamine-rich protein and hemicellulose-rich dietary fiber. GBF is utilized efficiently by Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Eubacterium and converted by them into lactate, acetate, and butyrate. These bacterial organic acids preserve a favorable intestinal condition. We have previously shown that GBF has attenuated intestinal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis and experimental colitis models through prebiotic actions. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of GBF with that of probiotics and antibiotics in an experimental colitis model. Colitis was induced by feeding male SD rats with a diet containing 3.0-3.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The therapeutic effect of oral administration of a prebiotic (GBF), probiotics (mixture of Lactobacillus and Clostridium butyricum), antibiotics (vancomycin, metronidazole), and the vehicle was determined by assessing clinical and pathological scores on day 6 after initiation of colitis. Butyrate concentrations in the cecal content were also determined. GBF treatment significantly reduced colonic inflammation as assessed by clinical scores with an increase in cecal butyrate levels. Probiotic treatment with a mixture of Lactobacillus and Clostridium butyricum did not show such an effect. Both antibiotic treatments significantly attenuated clinical and pathological scores. However, in contrast to GBF, this treatment led to a significant decrease in cecal butyrate levels. These data suggest that modification of the intestinal microflora by prebiotics, including GBF, may serve as a useful adjunct in the treatment of ulcerative colitis as well as antibiotic treatment.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2002

Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in infants by probiotics.

Probiotics administration has been claimed to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The investigators thus conducted a double blind, placebo controlled study of providing probiotics to infants and children with severe bacterial infections and receiving broad spechum antibiotics. The results of the study showed that the group receiving probiotics had fewer diarrheal episodes (37.5%) than the control group (80%), although the numbers were too small for statistical analysis. In conclusion, probiotics administration to patients receiving high doses of broad spectrum antibiotics may prevent the occurrence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A further study with a larger number is required.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics and the urologist.

Emerging from the stigma of once being referred to as "snake oil", excellent scientific and clinical evidence now exists to indicate that probiotics do indeed have a role to play in medicine. The proper definition of probiotics is important "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host", for several reasons. It rules out so-called probiotics that have no clinically proven, peer-reviewed data, and it states the need to have viable bacteria present, unlike these pseudo products which are often wrongly labeled, poorly manufactured, with low or no viability at time of use. Guidelines, prepared by the United Nations and World Health Organization are now available to guide physicians and consumers as to the types of strains with documented benefits. In urology, the most studied strains are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum B-54 and RC-14. Their use daily in oral form, or once to three times weekly as a vaginal suppository, have been shown to reduce the urogenital pathogen load and the risk of urinary tract and vaginal infections. Organisms such as Oxalobacter formigenes, still in the R&D phase, offer great potential to reduce kidney stone formation via oxalate degradation in the intestine. Some studies using L. casei Shirota suggest a possible effect against bladder cancer, while studies using L. plantarum 299 show significantly reduced infection rates in patients undergoing major surgical procedures. In short, specific probiotic strains hold much promise for use in the urology setting.

Female↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention.

Probiotic microflora display numerous health benefits beyond providing basic nutritional value. They cooperatively maintain a delicate balance between the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. When this balance is disrupted, disease and inflammation result. Inflammation and over stimulation of the immune system by pathogenic bacteria are competitively inhibited by mucosal adherence of normal beneficial microflora. A healthy gastrointestinal tract with adequate mucus production and appropriate bacterial colonization prevents the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, modulates disease processes, and prevents widespread inflammatory disorders. The understanding of the function of probiotics in the maintenance of health and their importance in preventing disease serves to enhance the overall health of patients. With increasing understanding that beneficial microbes are required for health maintenance and disease prevention, probiotics may be commonly used as a therapeutic tool by health care practitioners in the not-too-distant future. This review presents a review of probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention.

Digestive System↗

PubMed2003

Health aspects of probiotics.

Intestinal microbiota contribute in many different ways to our health; disturbances in the activity and/or composition of these microbiota may negatively influence health. In order to maintain a healthy intestinal microbiota, prebiotics and probiotics can be used. Selected probiotic strains safely shorten the duration of rotavirus diarrhea, relieve symptoms of lactose maldigestion and elicit beneficial immune-modulating effects. Other beneficial health effects have also been attributed to probiotics; however, these have not been sufficiently substantiated. Additional research into the mechanisms of probiotics is required.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Probiotics: a therapeutic concept awaiting recognition].

The history of emergence of the probiotics concept as well as basic knowledge on the mechanism of their action is described. The possibilities of the therapeutic use of probiotics, in particular for cases of Crohn's disease, viral gastroenteritis and travelers' diarrhea are discussed. The conclusion is made that the effectiveness of the use of probiotics has not yet been proved due to the fact that in clinical trials of these preparations many uncontrolled variables are not taken into consideration. For this reason at the present moment the prophylactic and curative use of probiotics is an idea whose constructive character has yet to be proved.

Crohn Disease↗

PubMed2003

Role of probiotics on the environment of shrimp pond.

Recent disease outbreak in shrimp farming caused mainly by bacteria, virus, fungi or a combination of these etiologic agents is attributed to disturbance in the environment of pond. To combat this, different antibiotics and chemicals are being used which are reported to be not environment friendly. Of late, a new and unique biotechnological product called "Probiotics " is being used widely by all the shrimp farmers worldwide, which is found to be more effective and environmentally safe also. In the present study 2 probiotics were used in a small 0.7 ha shrimp farm near Pattukottai in Tamil Nadu State for one culture period for the management of pond environment and also the gut ecology of Penaeus monodon. The environmental parameters analysed were within the acceptable limits. It was evident from the results that the production was better in the experimental pond where the probiotics were used. The biological parameters such as the average body weight, FCR and total harvest achieved were better in the experimental pond than the control pond, all due to congenial environment, which obtained in the former mainly due to the use of probiotics.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Probiotics and health.

Probiotics are described as live microbial food ingredients that are beneficial to health of the of host, especially by improving intestinal microbial balance. The major consumption of probiotics is in dairy-based foods form, which is containing intestinal species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. A number of potential benefits of probiotics have been proposed, including: adherence to cells; exclusion or reduction of pathogenic adherence; production of acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins antagonistic to pathogen growth; safe, noninvasive, noncarcinogenic and nonpathogenic characteristics; and congregation to form a normal balanced flora. The interrelation between probiotics and health are reviewed in this article.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

An evaluation of nine probiotics available in South Africa, August 2003.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although probiotics are not new, 5 new commercially available products have been launched onto the South African market in the last 2 years. Evaluations of products in the USA and Europe shown poor correlation between label claims and actual contents. We undertook an evaluation of 9 products currently available on the shelves in South Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: An independent laboratory was used. A culture method involving serial dilutions on selective media was used to obtain a colony count per gram for indicated organisma. A non-culture method, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), was used to determined the organisms present in the products. RESULTS: Disturbingly, we found a relatively poor correlation between the advertised and determined bacterial content. Only 3 of the 9 products tested contained the bacteria indicated on the label and 5 products contained sufficient bacteria for a probiotic effect. The Enterococcus faecium, a potential pathogen and Saccharomyces cerevisiae found in 2 of the products are of concern. CONCLUSION: This evaluation confirms that the contents of several probiotics available in South Africa do not correspond to the label claims. This is of concern as clinical efficacy is dependent on strain specificity and organism numbers. Current regulatory requirements do not address this discrepancy. As such, we recommend that commercially available probiotic products be screened annually and the results of such quality control measures be made available to the Medicines Control Council (MCC).

Bacillus↗

PubMed2004

Caveat emptor. "Probiotics" might not be what they seem.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether commercially prepared probiotic products contain viable organisms, as claimed by their manufacturers, particularly whether products labeled as containing Lactobacillus did so. To identify and quantify as many species as feasible and to compare them with the contents listed on labels. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING: Community hospital in Chilliwack, BC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Trial of 10 randomly chosen brands of probiotic preparations bought over-the-counter in British Columbia's lower mainland. Only products claiming to contain lactobacillus were included in this study. Viable organisms in each probiotic brand and quantities of Lactobacillus in each product. RESULTS: None of the 10 products tested matched their labeled microbiologic specifications. Two brands grew nothing aerobically or anaerobically. No Lactobacillus grew in five brands, although their labels stated that this was the main species. Eight brands contained viable cells, but only 10% of the number stated by their manufacturers. CONCLUSION: Most product labels did not adequately identify or quantify microbes. Use of probiotics should not be recommended at this time.

British Columbia↗

PubMed2004

Microbiological and genetic analysis of probiotic products licensed for medicinal purposes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to investigate both qualitatively and quantitatively the microbial content of probiotic products licensed for medicinal purposes. MATERIAL/METHODS: Microbiological analysis was performed on five different brands of probiotic products that claimed to contain lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria. The species were determined based on phenotypic characters, using API 50CH, API 20A, and API rapid ID 32A kits. Bacterial strains belonging to the Bifidobacterium genus were further identified using genotypic methods (amplification of specific DNA fragments by PCR and analysis of their nucleotide sequences). The products were also analyzed for pathogenic bacteria. The number of microorganisms contained in four of the products was determined using the plate-count method and the most-probable-number method. The actual and claimed content of probiotic products was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Microbiological and genetic analysis showed that, in terms of quality, only three of the five products contained the bacterial strains claimed on the label. None of the tested products contained pathogens. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that 57 of 64 samples (89% [95% CI: 81-97]) contained bacterial counts at the cell densities (doses) claimed on the label. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates unsatisfactory qualitative microbiological specification in the tested products. However, there was good quantitative agreement with the labeling. Our findings indicate that regulations governing the labeling of probiotic products are urgently required.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed2004

Microbiological evaluation of commercial probiotic products available in Italy.

Scientific evidence of the prevention and therapy of some intestinal diseases is accumulating in regard to probiotic products. However, sufficient information on the use of probiotics in specific therapies is not yet available and, above all, there is no clear legislation about these products in Europe. In this study, we evaluated five different probiotic products commercially available in Italy for their qualitative and quantitative microbial content after about 12 and 22 months of storage. We also evaluated the stability of lactobacilli to 0.3% bile salts and to pH of 3.58 and 7.98. There were discrepancies between the declared content and our results found after storage for 4 of the tested products. Bile salts and basic pH did not affect the growth of the lactobacilli tested, while for 2 tested products 6 hours at acid pH produced a complete inhibition of bacterial growth. Our results suggest the need for clear legislation and adequate control of the manufacturing of probiotic products.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A non-dairy probiotic's (poi) influence on changing the gastrointestinal tract's microflora environment.

JUSTIFICATION: Yogurt has been historically used to restore gut microflora adversely affected by antibiotic treatment. Certain fermented dairy products are probiotics; "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host." Microorganisms in foods may benefit certain health conditions such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. A potential new probiotic from a Polynesian traditional food is poi; a starchy paste made from the corm of taro plants. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if consumption of poi, a potential non-dairy probiotic, altered the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy adults. METHODS: A cross-over clinical study included 18 subjects (19-64 years of age) divided into a poi group (n = 10) and control group (n = 8). The study duration of 14 weeks consisted of a 2-week washout, 4-week treatment or control, a subsequent 2-week washout, cross-over of 4-week treatment or control, and a final 2-week washout. Subjects thus served as their own controls. While receiving the poi treatment, participants consumed fresh poi (1-2 days old) three times a day (130 g/meal or approximately 1/2 cup/meal); the control group did not. Both groups filled out 3-day dietary records to ensure compliance. Measurable outcomes included pre- and post-treatment microbiological fecal culture analyses. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in total bacterial counts following a poi diet versus following a control diet, nor were significant differences found in counts of specific bacterial species. Lactococcus tends to be higher in poi when it is analyzed for specific bacteria, but the poi consumption in our study did not alter the mean concentration of individual bacterial species (log10 CFU/g wet feces) for Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Bifidobacterium. No significant differences in stool frequency or consistency were observed between the treatment and control group periods. CONCLUSION: Poi consumption did not significantly alter total or individual bacterial counts in the human gastrointestinal tract. Further research might determine if "sour poi" (3-4 days old) has a greater affect than "fresh poi" (1-2 days old) as a potential probiotic, and a larger trial with longer diet durations may detect more subtle effects of poi consumption on bacterial counts.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Influence of oral colonization with probiotic E. coli strain after birth on frequency of recurrent infections, allergy and development of some immunologic parameters. Long-term studies].

OBJECTIVE: prevention of repeated infections and allergies in children of allergic mothers by oral colonization with probiotic E. coli strain.The development of some immunologic parameters. Long - term studies. DESIGN: Original contribution SETTING: Mother and Child Care Institute of Prague. METHODS AND RESULTS: The results of our long-term studies confirmed that orally administered probiotic E. coli strain after birth rapidly colonized the gastrontestinal tract of the newborn and remained dominant for many weeks. The long-term presence of the strain in the intestine stimulated local and serum antibody response. Early induction of secretory IgA production is important particularly in formula-fed infants. The long-term presence of the E. coli strain in the intestine decreased the numer of pathogens colonizing intestinal and other mucous membranes , the frequency of infections and reduced need for antibiotics in premature and high-risk infants. Ten years later, there was still a lower frequency of repeated infections (23%) in comparison with control children (58%). Colonization with probiotic E. coli strain in infants treated in protected (pathogen-free) environment represented effective prevention of nosocomial infections In the colonized group infections occured in 16% of infants and 130 isolates and 7 genera of pathogens were demonstrated. In the group treated in conventional environment 40% of infants had nosocomial infections, 238 isolates and 10 genera of pathogens were proved. The hospitalization period was shorter in the first group (26 versus 34 days). Intentional colonization with probiotic E. coli after birth reduced incidence of allergies after 10 and 20 years (being 12% and 16% in the colonized groups and 33 and 32% in controls). In the present long - term study (evaluated after the first year) colonization with vaccine COLINFANT after birth influenced the levels of some cytokines ( IL-4, IFN-gama,TGF-beta) and also clinical manifestation of allergy (there were no signs of allergy in colonized infants of allergic mothers, but 25% of infants of control allergic mothers had clinical manifestations of allergies). CONCLUSIONS: By replacement of the natural but incidental ( event. pathogenic ) colonization of the intestine by a targeted orally administered E. coli strain after birth we may have come upon the possibility of how to prevent nosomial infections particularly in formula-fed and high-risk infants and prevent occurence of allergies in infants of allergic mothers.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

[The significance of probiotics in medicine--a new look].

The article presents the definition, activity mechanism and application of probiotics, as well as their side-effects. Probiotics are microorganisms living in humans which may favorably influence human health and prevent some diseases. The mechanism of their activity is not yet fully understood. There are numerous attempts to apply probiotics as supportive therapy, mainly in gastrointestinal tract diseases. Other possible applications of probiotics in medicine require further clinical studies, concerning the mechanism of activity, determination of indications for use and optimal therapeutic dose.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Relationships between the probiotic and host indigenous lactobacilli under the conditions of mixed cultivation in vitro].

Relationships between 5 Lactobacillus manufacturing strains, 458 cultures of indigenous lactobacilli isolated from the human digestive and vaginal tracts and 98 isolates from the feces of white rats and mice were under study. The study demonstrated that under the conditions of mixed in vitro cultivation of paired cultures, probiotic strains inhibited more than 60% of the indigenous lactobacilli isolates. L. acidophilus strain K3 III 24 had the widest spectrum of antagonistic activity. Antagonistic relationships between indigenous lactobacilli depended on the origin, individual features and the anatomical sites of the culture isolation. Based on these results it has to be suggested that probiotic lactobacilli are capable of inducing disbalance in the host indigenous lactoflora. While choosing probiotics the character of relationships between probiotic microorganisms and the indigenous lactobacilli of the future recipient is recommended to be preliminarily tested in vitro.

Animals↗