Nardha+Dominguez

Title: Precious Probiotic Organisms at Work!


Author: Nardha Dominguez Date: December 6, 2010

Abstract:
The world of microbiota has many valuable microbes that contribute to our everyday needs. Probiotics have been proven to be vital to our health, and have become of great interest to many microbiologist and scientist over the world. Organisms like //Lactobacillus rhamnosus//, and //Bifidobacterium lactis// have demonstrated to be responsible for anti-inflammatory effects, and stopping diarrhea; they may also be intrinsically liked with preventing cancer. Recent studies have also confirmed that probiotics play a critical role in the humane immune system; evidence suggest that probiotics may help defend their host against possible pathogens. The human intestinal microflora maintains a healthy digestive system. This is why active live probiotics can be found in human dietary supplements like yogurt, cheese and milk. Initially, probiotic delivery was only associated with dairy foods but today they are also offered in nutraceuticals like capsules. Daily consumption of probiotics is necessary to live a long healthy life. A unique characteristic about probotics is that they contain a variety of strains that are independent of their genus. This is why scientists have had to study each strain separately to determine their function. Probiotics share a symbiotic relationship with prebiotics. According to the text, //Microbiology an Introduction, “//prebiotics are chemicals that selectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria” (402). Fiber is a prebiotic and it serves as food for probiotics, allowing them to grow and produce energy.



Introduction:
Before my microbiology class, I was completely unaware of the importance of microbes, and as the semester ends I am now convinced that our world would not function as it does today without them. One question that I never got the opportunity to explore is why probiotics are beneficial to our overall health? I decided to dedicate my research to answering this question. Recent studies have tested the effects of //Lactobacillus rhamnosus// on cellular immune responses. The study named **System Immunity-Enhancing effect in Healthy subjects Following Dietary Consumption of the Lactic Acid Bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus**, was conducted to measure cell phagocytosis and natural killing cell killing activity. The study’s aim was to see if the consumption of //L. rhamnosus// could enhance natural cellular immunity, resulting in an overall improvement of the immune system. Another study was conducted to see if the consumption //Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus// and //Bifidobacterium lactis// could contribute to anti-inflammatory effects in the colon and therefore reduce symptoms like diarrhea. In my final research I came across a study named **“ A randomized double-blind trial and preoperative administration of probiotics in colorectal caner patients.”** This study was conducted to investigate if probiotic bacteria could attach to the colonic mucosa and therefore reduce the concentration of pathogens in stools.

Discussion:
Chronic inflammation is closely rated with many human cancers. Intestinal inflammation can be associated with many diseases including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative coltis. Westbrook A states, “ chronic inflammation begins as an attempt of the body to remove injurious stimuli; however, over time, this results in continuous tissue destruction and promotion and maintenance of carcinogenesis” (40). The comparative study of the anti inflammatory preventative effects included three probiotics: //Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus// //acidophilus// and //Bifidobacterium lactis.// These probiotics were “tested on rats to see if they could decrease the inflammatory affects that were created as a result of being infected by Colitis” ( Peran L). A three-week study was conducted. According to Peran, “after the induction of colitis, each rat was administrated a probiotic orally for three weeks. Colonic damage was evaluated at the end of the study. The results indicated significant anti-inflammatory affects. This test proves that probiotics have anti-inflammatory effects and can minimize diarrhea. Peran states “biochemically, all probiotics restored colonic glutathione levels, depleted as a consequence of the oxidative stress of the inflammatory process.” The final conclusion supports the original hypothesis tested: probiotics can have significant contributions to treatments of anti inflammatory bowel disease.

Cancer is the excessive growth of tissue cells. According to the American Cancer Society, “cancer cells can grow into (invade) other tissues, something that normal cells cannot do. Being able to grow out of control and invade other tissues is what makes a cell a cancer cell.” Colorectal/Rectum cancer one of the most common cancers, it begins in the colon or rectum and is most severe once it passes through several layers of the colon. The American society States, “We now know that most of these cancers start as a polyp a growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the center of the colon or rectum.” Detecting this polyp early through colonoscopies can allow physicians to remove them and hopefully prevent cancer. A recent study was conducted to examine the relationship between probiotics and cancer. This study named **A randomized double-blind trial on preoperative administration of probiotics in colorectal cancer patients**, aimed “at investigating whether probiotic bacteria, given preoperatively, might adhere to the colonic mucosa, reduce concentration of pathogens in stools and modulate the local immune function” (Gianotti). The procedure was carried out on 31 random patients that were undergoing an elective colorectal resection for cancer. Before the operation, patients were given a placebo to take orally or a mixture of probiotics, of which included //Bifidobacterium longum// and //Lactobacillus johnsonii//. Probiotics and placebo were continued post operatively. Stool samples were collected before operation and at the end of the trial; samples of the colonic mucosa were also harvested from each patient during operation. The results, according to Gianotti, were “ that only //L. johnsonii// adheres to the colonic mucosa and affects intestinal microbiota by reducing the concentration of pathogens and modulates local immunity.” Studies like these demonstrate one of the many benefits of probiotics and how important they are to our immune system. Probiotics are bringing us one step closer towards discovering a possible cure for cancer.

// Lactobacillus rhamnosus // could have potential benefits to enhance the immune system//. L. rhamnosus// usually lives in the digestive system, which means it can live in extremely acidic environments. According to Probiotic. Org, “the probiotic L. rhamnosus, stimulates the production of antibodies and also assists in the process of phagocytosis, a means by which the body combats dangerous invasive bacteria. A study named **Systemic Immunity-Enhancing Effects in Healthy subjects Following dietary Consumpt** ** ion of the Lactic Acid Bacterium //Lactobacillus rhamnosus,// ** investigates the effects of dietary consumption of L. Rhamnosus “on two important aspects of natural cellular immune responsiveness, namely non-specific polymorphonuclear cell phagocytosis and natural killer cell tumor killing activity” (Sheih Y). This studies main objective was to determine whether or not the dietary consumption of //L. rhamnosus// could enhance natural cell immunity. The subjects included about 52 middle aged healthy volunteers of which were men and women. Subjects consumed low fat milk that contained //L. rhamnosus// for nine weeks. After the nine weeks, results concluded that daily consumption of dietary products of Lactic Acid bacteria like //L. rhamnosus,// can enhance cellular immune responses. After 3 weeks run, “significant there was an increases in non-specific polymorphonuclear cell phagocytic activity and natural killing cell activity” ( Sheih ). This study provides strong evidence to support the capabilities of lactic acid bacteria. As one ages, the immune system begins to decline. Antoine concludes “ dietary interventions that can enhance cellular immunity might be of significant value in combating the deleterious effects of aging on the immune system.” All of these tests provide concrete evidence that show the positive benefits of probiotics. Therefore the consumption of probiotics is vital for our overall health.

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