2. Contents
Definition
History
Mechanism of action
Probiotic strains
Foods containing probiotics
Clinical implications of probiotics
Preparations
Prebiotics
Symbiotics
3. Definition
According to WHO, 2001 “probiotics are
live microorganisms which, when
administered in adequate amounts
confer a health benefit on the host”.
Pro – promoting
Biotic - life
4. History
In 1907 , Russian Noble prize winner, ELIE
METCHINKOFF first conceptualised
probiotics
In 1930s in Japan, MINORU SHIROTA
developed YAKULT
Probiotic term coined by LILLY &
STILLWELL in 1965
5. Mechanism of action
Probiotics produce acidic, lactic &
propionic acid lowers the intestinal pH &
inhibit the growth of certain pathogenic
bacteria like E.coli
Prevent adhesion and colonization of
pathogenic organisms
Produce immunologic response –
increase IgA production, cytokine
modulation
6. Helps absorption of minerals
Produce wide range of antimicrobial
substances like acidophilin, bacteriocin
Enhance the intestinal barrier function
12. Clinical implications
1) Diarrhoea:
A) Treatment & prevention of acute diarrhoea:
- L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. casei
Saccharomyces boulardii
B) Antibiotic associated diarrhoea
- Saccharomyces boulardii,
L. rhamnosus
- L. casei DN – 114001 – effective in
hospitalized adult patients
13. 2) Inflammatory bowel disease:
- pouchitis, ulcerative colitis
3) Irritable bowel syndrome
- reduction in abdominal bloating and flatulence
- L. reuteri may improve colicky symptoms
4) Colon cancer
5) Lactose malabsorption
- Streptococcus thermophillus and L. delbrueckii
- prodution of β- D galactosidase enzymes that
breakdown lactose
14. 6) Eradication of H. pylori
7) Allergy
- decreases serum IgE levels
- reduction of Th2 cytokine response
8) Lowering cholesterol
9) Bp reduction: related to the ACE
inhibitor like peptides produced during
fermentation
15. 10) Necrotising enterocolitis in preterm
infants if given in early life decreases the
severity and incidence
11) Hypo response to food allergens
12) Bacterial vaginosis
13) Decreases atopic dermatitis in
neonates if given in pregnancy and early
life of neonate
16. Prepartions
Tablets , capsules, powders
Sporlac - 60 million spores of lactic acid
bacillus
Econorm - Saccharomyces boulardii 250
mg per sachet
Bifilac – lactobacillus 50 million spores
sterptococcus faecalis 30 million
clostridium butyricum 2 million
bacillus mesenteric 1 million per
sachets/capule
18. Prebiotcs
Nondigestable dietary substances
Increases the no. of beneficial anaerobic
bacteria and decreases the pathogenic
microorganisms
Metabolic effects - Produce short chain
fatty acids, absorption of ions( Ca, Fe,
Mg)
Enhances host immunity ( IgA
production, cytokine modulation)
19. Commonly known prebiotics are
oligofructose – wheat, onions, bananas, garlic
inulin
lactulose
breastmilk oligosaccharides
galacto oligosaccharides
20. Lactulose – a synthetic disaccharide
used as a drug for the treatment of
hepatic encephalopathy and
constipation
Symbiotics
probiotic + prebiotioc
21. References
Probiotics and prebiotics, World
Gastroenterology Organisation Practise
Guidelines, May,2008.
The pharmacological basics for
therapeutics, Goodman & Gillman, 12th
edition
Essentials of medical pharmacology –
K. D. Tripathi, 7th edition
Pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics
– R. D. Satoskar, 23rd edition