Microbiome, Probiotics & Gut Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Dr. Ivana Haluskova Balter

Abstract

Microbiome is composed from 100.000 milliards of bacteria and its weight is around 2 kg. It forms protective barrier against pathogens (permeability) and interactive layer with inner host immune system and neuroendocrine system. It does play important role in development (training of host immune response), human and reproductive health and need to be consider in diagnostic and prevention of diseases. It is a complex and diverse bacterial community specific to each individual crucial for human health. It is involved in immune mediated response and evolution of various diseases such as metabolic ones (diabetes, obesity), inflammatory diseases, (inflammatory bowel diseases), neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric/behavioral disorders, respiratory diseases (allergy & asthma), cystic fibrosis(measurable changes in gut microbiome functionality occur in CF patients compared to controls), aging,response to cancer treatment, lipid metabolism. The gut healthy microbiome is able to convert lipids,including fatty acids or cholesterol, leading to the production of metabolites with potential health effects. Microbiome under 3 years old fluctuates substantially and is more sensible to environmental factors than the adult microbiome. Lifestyle, sanitation, caesarean sections, antibiotic usage, immunizations or responsiveness to vaccines interact with microbiome. It has been studied that there is a “critical window”early in life during which the microbiome can be disrupted in a way that may favour the development of disease later in life and there is and increasing evidence concerning role of microbiome changes during early life impacting the development of intestinal and extra- intestinal diseases. There are several pediatric diseases associated with alterations of the intestinal microbiome like Athopy and Asthma, Obesity and IBD (Crohn disease and Ulcerative colitis). Antibiotic usage in early life can significantly impact the growth of otherwise dominant bacterial pyla in the human gut. Use of antibiotics can render infants susceptible to several diseases later in life according scientific evidence. Antimicrobials select for drug-resistant strains and their repeated use creates a host-specific reservoir of antimicrobial-resistance genes and organisms. Than as a risks linked with changed permeability and consequence of microbiome dysbalance might lead to invasion and subsequent diseases. (ex: Clostridium difficile infections). As an ilustration of microbiome modulation or intervention for direct post-antibiotic effect which might develop- Clostridium diff. infections there is a support to research and development of antibodies, vaccine development and meantime use of microbiome modulation - FT- faecal transplantation (with known limitations) in order to decrease also carriage of AR genes. Targeted and individually specific intervention along with phagotherapy is other alternatives under exploration. The advantage of phage cocktails is that they generally will contain phages that infect more types of bacteria, so a cocktail can treat more strains or species and thus have broader applications. However, better understanding and standardized approach evaluated in clinical trials still needed. Thousands succumb to untreatable superbug infections on a daily basis. Meantime 33,000 people die every year due to infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and real danger of post-antibiotic era exists. As noted previously, from long term perspective there is an impact on human health and increased risk for list of diseases noted above. Therefore microbiome (microbiome mediated response) from perspective of human health might be considered as a tool for diagnostic and prevention of several diseases as well. Given all those facts and reality of raising resistance to TB drugs, antivirals, antiparasitic drugs, anticancer drugs,resistance is considered as one of the most significant challenges the world faces today. Host immune response empowering (microbiome/metabolome mediated immune response including data helping to diagnostic and accurate microbiome targeted interventions), genetics and all alternatives to enhance immune response (vaccines, included those derived from microbiome) are possible alternatives to face it. Antibiotics need to be preserved and research supporting innovative research for new compounds protecting composition of microbiome and prevention of AR genes spread (veterinary medicine, environmental impact including) is important to consider.