1.
Role of Gut Microbiota in the Development and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.
Lin, C, Cai, X, Zhang, J, Wang, W, Sheng, Q, Hua, H, Zhou, X
Digestion. 2019;(1):72-78
Abstract
Human guts harbor abundant microbes that regulate many aspects of host physiology. However, bacterial imbalance or dysbiosis in the gut due to the dietary or environmental changes may cause colorectal cancer (CRC). Increasing studies show that gut microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of CRC, as a result of virulence factors, bacterial metabolites, or inflammatory pathways. In the future, probiotics or targeting the microbiota will probably be a powerful weapon in the battle against CRC. This review seeks to outline the relationship between gut microbiota and the development of CRC as well as the potential mechanisms of microbiota involved in treatment of CRC, so as to provide some references for research on the development, prevention, and treatment of this disease.
2.
Probiotics: A non-conventional therapy for oral lichen planus.
Han, X, Zhang, J, Tan, Y, Zhou, G
Archives of oral biology. 2017;:90-96
Abstract
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease. Although the etiology is still unclear, present studies suggest that the composition of the oral microbiota and psychological problems are implicated in the etiology of OLP. The pathogenesis of OLP includes mainly antigen-specific and non-specific mechanisms. Antigen-specific mechanisms involve T-cell activation following antigen presentation and apoptosis of basal keratinocytes triggered by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, while non-specific mechanisms consist of matrix metalloproteinase over-expression and mast cell degranulation in OLP lesions. Therapies for OLP are mainly used to control symptoms and a specific cure is not yet available. Probiotics are capable of modulating the immune response in a strain-specific manner. They are able to alleviate microbial infection and suppress T-cell activation, infiltration and proliferation, as well as suppress keratinocyte apoptosis and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling. Furthermore, probiotics can also modulate the production of inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs, inhibit MMP-9 expression and mast cell degranulation, and ameliorate psychological problems, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. Therefore, we hypothesize that probiotics may be applicable to OLP as a safe, inexpensive and non-conventional therapy.
3.
Probiotics for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of high-quality randomized controlled trials.
Wang, J, Liu, KX, Ariani, F, Tao, LL, Zhang, J, Qu, JM
PloS one. 2013;(12):e83934
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is considered to be a worldwide issue along with the development of supportive ventilation. The preventing strategy is of great importance for its poor prognostic and difficulties in treatment. Probiotics have been advocated as one of the possible preventive measures. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the potential benefits of probiotics. METHODS The databases, Web of science, PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane lib were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) publications that compared the effectiveness of probiotics with placebo in the prevention of VAP. The incidence of VAP was considered as the primary endpoint, mortality, length of stay in intensive care units (ICUs), etiology of the infections were considered as secondary endpoints. RESULTS A total of 844 patients from 5 trials were subjected to meta-analysis. Probiotics did not significantly decrease the incidence of VAP (RR 0.94, 95%CI 0.85-1.04, p=0.22), however, the administration of probiotics reduced the risk of VAP caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (RR 0.30, 95%CI 0.11-0.91, P=0.03). It failed to affect any other endpoints. CONCLUSION Probiotic prophylaxis of ventilator-associated pneumonia remained inconclusive and it failed to improve the prognosis of general mechanically ventilated patients. It was noteworthy that infections caused by P. aeruginosa was reduced by administration of probiotics. In further, it is recommended that advanced studies should exploit transformation in pathogenic microorganisms owing to administration of probiotics as well as the specific population.
4.
Probiotics' effects on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Liu, KX, Zhu, YG, Zhang, J, Tao, LL, Lee, JW, Wang, XD, Qu, JM
Critical care (London, England). 2012;(3):R109
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in preventing nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science for relevant studies. Two reviewers extracted data and reviewed the quality of the studies independently. The primary outcome was the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. Study-level data were pooled using a random-effects model when I(2) was > 50% or a fixed-effects model when I(2) was < 50%. RESULTS Twelve randomized controlled studies with a total of 1,546 patients were considered. Pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in nosocomial pneumonia rates due to probiotics (odd ratio [OR]= 0.75, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.97, P = 0.03, I(2) = 46%). However, no statistically significant difference was found between groups regarding in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.74, P = 0.82, I(2) = 51%), intensive care unit mortality (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.29, P = 0.43, I(2) = 0%), duration of stay in the hospital (mean difference [MD] in days = -0.13, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.67, P = 0.75, I(2) = 46%), or duration of stay in the intensive care units (MD = -0.72, 95% CI -1.73 to 0.29, P = 0.16, I(2) = 68%). CONCLUSIONS The use of probiotics was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. However, large, well-designed, randomized, multi-center trials are needed to confirm any effects of probiotics clinical endpoints such as mortality and length of ICU and hospital stay.