Abstract
There is increasing awareness that the human gut microflora plays a critical role in maintaining host health, both within the gastrointestinal tract and, through the absorption of metabolites, systemically. An optimal gut microflora establishes an efficient barrier to the invasion and colonisation of the gut by pathogenic bacteria, produces a range of metabolic substrates which in turn are utilized by the host (e.g. vitamins and short chain fatty acids) and stimulates the immune system in a non-inflammatory manner. Although little is known about the individual species of bacteria responsible for these beneficial activities, it is generally accepted that the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli constitute important components of the beneficial gut microflora. A number of diet-based microflora management tools have been developed and refined over recent decades including probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic approaches. Each aims to stimulate numbers and / or activities of the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within the gut microflora. The aim of this article is to examine how prebiotics are being applied to the improvement of human health and to review the scientific evidence supporting their use.
Keywords: prebiotic, oligosaccharides, gut microflora, bifidobacteria, functional food
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Modulation of the Human Gut Microflora Towards Improved Health Using Prebiotics - Assessment of Efficacy
Volume: 11 Issue: 1
Author(s): K. M. Tuohy, G. C.M. Rouzaud, W. M. Bruck and G. R. Gibson
Affiliation:
Keywords: prebiotic, oligosaccharides, gut microflora, bifidobacteria, functional food
Abstract: There is increasing awareness that the human gut microflora plays a critical role in maintaining host health, both within the gastrointestinal tract and, through the absorption of metabolites, systemically. An optimal gut microflora establishes an efficient barrier to the invasion and colonisation of the gut by pathogenic bacteria, produces a range of metabolic substrates which in turn are utilized by the host (e.g. vitamins and short chain fatty acids) and stimulates the immune system in a non-inflammatory manner. Although little is known about the individual species of bacteria responsible for these beneficial activities, it is generally accepted that the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli constitute important components of the beneficial gut microflora. A number of diet-based microflora management tools have been developed and refined over recent decades including probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic approaches. Each aims to stimulate numbers and / or activities of the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within the gut microflora. The aim of this article is to examine how prebiotics are being applied to the improvement of human health and to review the scientific evidence supporting their use.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tuohy M. K., Rouzaud C.M. G., Bruck M. W. and Gibson R. G., Modulation of the Human Gut Microflora Towards Improved Health Using Prebiotics - Assessment of Efficacy, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2005; 11 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612053382331
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612053382331 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Agents of Immunomodulation and Neuroprotection
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Organic Antifungal Drugs and Targets of Their Action
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Medical Applications of Implantable Drug Delivery Microdevices Based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems)
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Colored Representation of Brain Gray Scale MRI Images to Potentially Underscore the Variability and Sensitivity of Images
Current Medical Imaging TargetingQuorum Sensing and Competence Stimulation for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Current Drug Targets Synthesis of Pyrophosphate-Containing Compounds that Stimulate VγVδ2 T Cells: Application to Cancer Immunotherapy
Medicinal Chemistry Regulatory T Cells in Central Nervous System: in Health and Disease
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Neutrophil Activation Induced by Plant Lectins: Modulation of Inflammatory Processes
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Autoimmune Neuromuscular Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology Neurotrophic Factors in the Pathogenesis of Neurological Disorders with Mental Retardation in Children
Current Pediatric Reviews An Overview of Currently Available Antimalarials
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Analysis of Adverse Events Related to 720 Cases of Neural Progenitor Cell Transplantation
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Nanostructures as Promising Tools for Delivery of Antimicrobial Peptides
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Effective Separation and Simultaneous Detection of Ceftriaxone Sodium and Levofloxacin in Human Urine by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
Current Analytical Chemistry Advances in Neuroimaging for HIV-1 Associated Neurological Dysfunction: Clues to the Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Monitoring
Current HIV Research The Importance of Precise Documentation of Vaccination by Physicians and Vaccine Providers
Current Drug Safety Current Evidence on the Evaluation and Management of Fever Without a Source in Infants Aged 0-90 Days: A Review
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Driving Cellular Plasticity and Survival Through the Signal Transduction Pathways of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Current Neurovascular Research Chemotherapy and Delivery in the Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors
Current Clinical Pharmacology Nutritional Requirements for Maternal and Newborn Health
Current Women`s Health Reviews