The Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease Flashcards
why is gut microbiota important?
Provides a balance within the host between health and disease
factors that affect the gut microbiota
environment probiotics antibiotics prebiotics faecal transplant disease diet lifestage
what is dysbiosis?
general imbalance in microbiota
what does antibiotics do to effect microbiota?
reduces bacterial diversity and increases enterobacteriaceae
how does inflammation effect microbiota?
decrease in mucus barrier
increase oxygen exposure
alters microbial composition
increases inflammation
how does diarrhoea effect microbiota?
decreased transit time alters microbial composition
how does host diet effect the microbiota?
may be a desire to eat less fibre, changes microbiota compisition
what are probiotics?
live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host
what are probiotics?
substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.
mechanism of action for probiotics?
Competition
- Bioconversions (diet)
- Production of vitamins
- Direct antagonism (pathogens)
- Competitive exclusion
- Barrier function
- Reduce inflammation
- Immune stimulation
examples of probiotics
FOS & inulin
GOS
lactulose
what are the health benefits of prebiotics?
Improved gut function
stool bulking and faster gut transit
Management of Inflammatory bowel disease reduction in inflammatory markers
Prebiotics may reduce the risk of colon cancer
reduced DNA damage and cell proliferation, faster gut transit
Prebiotics (FOS/Inulin) increase calcium absorption and bone health
Prebiotic (GOS/FOS) supplementation of infant formula increases bifidobacteria numbers
pH effect
Consumption of prebiotics instead of sugars can lower glycaemic index
induce a lower blood glucose rise after meals compared to those containing sugars
Rodent studies indicate that prebiotics reduce food intake and fat mass SCFA stimulated secretion of gut peptides
(PYY, GLP-1, reduced ghrelin)
