Synergistic Efficacy and Mechanism of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Enhancing Health Impact
Sultan Ayesh Mohammed Saghir 1*, Fouad Saleh Al Suede 1
Microbial Bioactives 7(1) 1-11 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.719300
Submitted: 09 November 2023 Revised: 03 January 2024 Published: 10 January 2024
Abstract
The potential benefits of probiotics and prebiotics for enhancing human health are increasingly recognized. This review aims to investigate their effectiveness and underlying mechanisms in improving the gut microbiome and overall well-being. Probiotics are live bacteria that offer health advantages when consumed in adequate amounts, typically found in fermented foods or supplements. They help restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome by regulating the immune system, promoting microbial diversity, and inhibiting harmful microorganisms. Clinical studies have shown their efficacy in treating gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, as well as non-gastrointestinal issues such as allergies and immune function. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are indigestible substances, primarily dietary fibers, that serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria. By providing essential nutrition, prebiotics create an environment conducive to the growth and activity of these microorganisms, benefiting overall gut health. They have shown promise in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity by altering the gut flora composition. Understanding how probiotics and prebiotics work together, known as synbiotics, can enhance their efficacy in improving gut health and well-being. Ongoing research into their mechanisms of action enables personalized healthcare approaches. However, individual factors like genetics and baseline gut microbiota composition may influence their effectiveness. By modulating the gut flora, probiotics and prebiotics offer exciting opportunities for health improvement. Their actions include microbiological balance, immune regulation, and metabolic effects. This comprehensive understanding provides a solid foundation for leveraging their therapeutic potential and advancing contemporary healthcare.
Keywords: Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut microbiome, Efficacy, Mechanisms of action, Health
References
Ahmed, W., & Rashid, S. (2019). Functional and therapeutic potential of inulin: A comprehensive review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(1), 1-13.
Akkasheh, G., Kashani-Poor, Z., Tajabadi-Ebrahimi, M., Jafari, P., Akbari, H., Taghizadeh, M., … & Esmaillzadeh, A. (2016). Clinical and metabolic response to probiotic administration in patients with major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrition, 32(3), 315-320.
Apolinário, A. C., de Lima Damasceno, B. P. G., de Macêdo Beltrão, N. E., Pessoa, A., Converti, A., & da Silva, J. A. (2014). Inulin-type fructans: A review on different aspects of biochemical and pharmaceutical technology. Carbohydrate polymers, 101, 368-378.
Ashaolu, T. J. (2020). Immune boosting functional foods and their mechanisms: A critical evaluation of probiotics and prebiotics. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 130, 110625.
Ashaolu, T. J., Ashaolu, J. O., & Adeyeye, S. A. O. (2021). Fermentation of prebiotics by human colonic microbiota in vitro and short-chain fatty acids production: a critical review. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 130(3), 677-687.
Ashraf, R., & Shah, N. P. (2014). Immune system stimulation by probiotic microorganisms. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 54(7), 938-956.
Azad, M. A. K., Sarker, M., & Wan, D. (2018). Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics on cytokine profiles. BioMed research international, 2018.
Baj, A., Moro, E., Bistoletti, M., Orlandi, V., Crema, F., & Giaroni, C. (2019). Glutamatergic signaling along the microbiota-gut-brain axis. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(6), 1482.
Bartkiene, E., Özogul, F., & Rocha, J. M. (2022). Bread sourdough lactic acid bacteria—technological, antimicrobial, toxin-degrading, immune system-, and faecal microbiota-modelling biological agents for the preparation of food, nutraceuticals and feed. Foods, 11(3), 452.
Bested, A. C., Logan, A. C., & Selhub, E. M. (2013). Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: part III–convergence toward clinical trials. Gut Pathogens, 5, 1-13.
Burgueño, J. F., & Abreu, M. T. (2020). Epithelial Toll-like receptors and their role in gut homeostasis and disease. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 17(5), 263-278.
Chiba, Y., Shida, K., Nagata, S., Wada, M., Bian, L., Wang, C., … & Nomoto, K. (2010). Well-controlled proinflammatory cytokine responses of Peyer’s patch cells to probiotic Lactobacillus casei. Immunology, 130(3), 352-362.
Cho, Y. A., & Kim, J. (2015). Effect of probiotics on blood lipid concentrations: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 94(43).
Czerucka, D., & Rampal, P. (2019). Diversity of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 mechanisms of action against intestinal infections. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(18), 2188.
Dai, L., Gu, Y., Xu, J., Guo, J., Jiang, K., Zhou, X., & Xu, Y. (2022). Toward green production of xylooligosaccharides and glucose from sorghum straw biowaste by sequential acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. Industrial Crops and Products, 179, 114662.
Dai, L., Huang, T., Jiang, K., Zhou, X., & Xu, Y. (2021). A novel recyclable furoic acid-assisted pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse biorefinery in co-production of xylooligosaccharides and glucose. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 14(1), 1-8.
Davani-Davari, D., Negahdaripour, M., Karimzadeh, I., Seifan, M., Mohkam, M., Masoumi, S. J., … & Berenjian, A. (2019). Prebiotics: Definition, types, sources, mechanisms, and clinical applications. Foods, 8(3), 92.
Delgado-Fernandez, P., de Las Rivas, B., Munoz, R., Jimeno, M. L., Doyaguez, E. G., Corzo, N., & Moreno, F. J. (2021). Biosynthesis of nondigestible galactose-containing hetero-oligosaccharides by lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 MelA α-Galactosidase. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(3), 955-965.
Ding, S., Wang, Y., Yan, W., Li, A., Jiang, H., & Fang, J. (2019). Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 15-1 and fructooligosaccharides on the response of broilers to pathogenic Escherichia coli O78 challenge. PloS One, 14(6), e0212079.
Doifode, T., Giridharan, V. V., Generoso, J. S., Bhatti, G., Collodel, A., Schulz, P. E., … & Barichello, T. (2021). The impact of the microbiota-gut-brain axis on Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology. Pharmacological Research, 164, 105314.
Duary, R. K., Bhausaheb, M. A., Batish, V. K., & Grover, S. (2012). Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory efficacy of indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Lp91 in colitis mouse model. Molecular biology reports, 39, 4765-4775.
Dubey, M. R., & Patel, V. P. (2018). Probiotics: A promising tool for calcium absorption. The open nutrition journal, 12(1).
Fanaro, S., Boehm, G., Garssen, J., Knol, J., Mosca, F., Stahl, B., & Vigi, V. (2005). Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in infant formulas: a review. Acta paediatrica, 94, 22-26.
Fei, Y., Chen, Z., Han, S., Zhang, S., Zhang, T., Lu, Y., … & Yao, M. (2023). Role of prebiotics in enhancing the function of next-generation probiotics in gut microbiota. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 63(8), 1037-1054.
Flint, H. J., Scott, K. P., Duncan, S. H., Louis, P., & Forano, E. (2015). Microbial degradation of complex carbohydrates in the gut. Gut Microbes, 6(2), 85-91.
Gibson, G. R., Hutkins, R., Sanders, M. E., Prescott, S. L., Reimer, R. A., Salminen, S. J., … & Reid, G. (2017). Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology, 14(8), 491-502.
Gibson, G. R., Hutkins, R., Sanders, M. E., Prescott, S. L., Reimer, R. A., Salminen, S. J., … & Reid, G. (2017). Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 14(8), 491-502.
Gibson, G. R., Probert, H. M., Van Loo, J., Rastall, R. A., & Roberfroid, M. B. (2004). Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: updating the concept of prebiotics. Nutrition research reviews, 17(2), 259-275.
Giri, S., Dutta, P., & Giri, T. K. (2021). Inulin-based carriers for colon drug targeting. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 64, 102595.
Gu, J., Thomas-Ahner, J. M., Riedl, K. M., Bailey, M. T., Vodovotz, Y., Schwartz, S. J., & Clinton, S. K. (2019). Dietary black raspberries impact the colonic microbiome and phytochemical metabolites in mice. Molecular nutrition & food research, 63(8), 1800636.
Henrick, B. M., Hutton, A. A., Palumbo, M. C., Casaburi, G., Mitchell, R. D., Underwood, M. A., … & Frese, S. A. (2018). Elevated fecal pH indicates a profound change in the breastfed infant gut microbiome due to reduction of Bifidobacterium over the past century. Msphere, 3(2), e00041-18.
Hill, C., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibson, G. R., Merenstein, D. J., Pot, B., … & Sanders, M. E. (2014). Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11(8), 506-514.
Kazemi, A., Noorbala, A. A., Azam, K., Eskandari, M. H., & Djafarian, K. (2019). Effect of probiotic and prebiotic vs placebo on psychological outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(2), 522-528..
Klaassens, E. S., Boesten, R. J., Haarman, M., Knol, J., Schuren, F. H., Vaughan, E. E., & De Vos, W. M. (2009). Mixed-species genomic microarray analysis of fecal samples reveals differential transcriptional responses of bifidobacteria in breast-and formula-fed infants. Applied and environmental microbiology, 75(9), 2668-2676.
Kothari, D., Patel, S., Kim, S. K., & Probiotics, S. A. I. F. (2020). Probiotic supplements might not be universally-effective and safe: A review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 132, 110859.
Krumbeck, J. A., Rasmussen, H. E., Hutkins, R. W., Clarke, J., Shawron, K., Keshavarzian, A., & Walter, J. (2018). Probiotic Bifidobacterium strains and galactooligosaccharides improve intestinal barrier function in obese adults but show no synergism when used together as synbiotics. Microbiome, 6, 1-16.
La Fata, G., Weber, P., & Mohajeri, M. H. (2018). Probiotics and the gut immune system: indirect regulation. Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins, 10, 11-21.
Le Bastard, Q., Chapelet, G., Javaudin, F., Lepelletier, D., Batard, E., & Montassier, E. (2020). The effects of inulin on gut microbial composition: a systematic review of evidence from human studies. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 39, 403-413.
Lerner, A., Neidhöfer, S., & Matthias, T. (2017). The gut microbiome feelings of the brain: a perspective for non-microbiologists. Microorganisms, 5(4), 66.
Li, S., Heng, X., Guo, L., Lessing, D. J., & Chu, W. (2022). SCFAs improve disease resistance via modulate gut microbiota, enhance immune response and increase antioxidative capacity in the host. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 120, 560-568.
Liu, R. T., Walsh, R. F., & Sheehan, A. E. (2019). Prebiotics and probiotics for depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 102, 13-23.
Lynch, S. V., & Pedersen, O. (2016). The human intestinal microbiome in health and disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(24), 2369-2379.
MacFabe, D. F. (2012). Short-chain fatty acid fermentation products of the gut microbiome: implications in autism spectrum disorders. Microbial ecology in health and disease, 23(1), 19260.
Markowiak, P., & Slizewska, K. (2018). The role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in animal nutrition. Gut pathogens, 10(1), 1-20.
Markowiak-Kopec, P., & Slizewska, K. (2020). The effect of probiotics on the production of short-chain fatty acids by human intestinal microbiome. Nutrients, 12(4), 1107.
Martín, R., & Langella, P. (2019). Emerging health concepts in the probiotics field: streamlining the definitions. Frontiers in microbiology, 10, 1047.
Martínez-Tomé, M., Cedeño-Pinos, C., Bañón, S., & Jiménez-Monreal, A. M. (2022). Rosemary extracts improved the antioxidant status of low-fat yoghurt sauces enriched with inulin. Antioxidants, 11(4), 789.
Matsuki, T., Tajima, S., Hara, T., Yahagi, K., Ogawa, E., & Kodama, H. (2016). Infant formula with galacto-oligosaccharides (OM55N) stimulates the growth of indigenous bifidobacteria in healthy term infants. Beneficial microbes, 7(4), 453-461.
Mennigen, R., Nolte, K., Rijcken, E., Utech, M., Loeffler, B., Senninger, N., & Bruewer, M. (2009). Probiotic mixture VSL# 3 protects the epithelial barrier by maintaining tight junction protein expression and preventing apoptosis in a murine model of colitis. American journal of physiology-Gastrointestinal and liver physiology, 296(5), G1140-G1149.
Miller, L. E., Lehtoranta, L., & Lehtinen, M. J. (2019). Short-term probiotic supplementation enhances cellular immune function in healthy elderly: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies. Nutrition research, 64, 1-8.
Moens, F., Verce, M., & De Vuyst, L. (2017). Lactate-and acetate-based cross-feeding interactions between selected strains of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and colon bacteria in the presence of inulin-type fructans. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 241, 225-236.
Mörkl, S., Butler, M. I., Holl, A., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2020). Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis: focus on psychiatry. Current nutrition reports, 9, 171-182.
Oelschlaeger, T. A. (2010). Mechanisms of probiotic actions–a review. International journal of medical microbiology, 300(1), 57-62.
Patel, S., & McCormick, B. A. (2014). Mucosal inflammatory response to Salmonella typhimurium infection. Frontiers in immunology, 5, 311.
Rahim, M. A., Saeed, F., Khalid, W., Hussain, M., & Anjum, F. M. (2021). Functional and nutraceutical properties of fructo-oligosaccharides derivatives: A review. International Journal of Food Properties, 24(1), 1588-1602.
Rajoka, M. S. R., Mehwish, H. M., Zhang, H., Ashraf, M., Fang, H., Zeng, X., … & He, Z. (2020). Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide mediated silver nanoparticle synthesized by Lactobacillus brevis isolated from Chinese koumiss. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 186, 110734.
Rezende, E. S. V., Lima, G. C., & Naves, M. M. V. (2021). Dietary fibers as beneficial microbiota modulators: A proposed classification by prebiotic categories. Nutrition, 89, 111217.
Ríos-Covián, D., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Margolles, A., Gueimonde, M., De Los Reyes-gavilán, C. G., & Salazar, N. (2016). Intestinal short chain fatty acids and their link with diet and human health. Frontiers in microbiology, 7, 185.
Sánchez, B., Delgado, S., Blanco-Míguez, A., Lourenço, A., Gueimonde, M., & Margolles, A. (2017). Probiotics, gut microbiota, and their influence on host health and disease. Molecular nutrition & food research, 61(1), 1600240.
Sanders, M. E., Merenstein, D. J., Ouwehand, A., Reid, G., Salminen, S., Cabana, M. D., … & Klaenhammer, T. R. (2019). Probiotic use in at-risk populations. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 59(2), 254-262.
Shewale, R. N., Sawale, P. D., Khedkar, C. D., & Singh, A. (2014). Selection criteria for probiotics: A review. International Journal of Probiotics & Prebiotics, 9(1/2), 17.
Shida, K., Nanno, M., & Nagata, S. (2011). Flexible cytokine production by macrophages and T cells in response to probiotic bacteria: a possible mechanism by which probiotics exert multifunctional immune regulatory activities. Gut Microbes, 2(2), 109-114.
Shimizu, Y., Isoda, K., Taira, Y., Taira, I., Kondoh, M., & Ishida, I. (2020). Anti-tumor effect of a recombinant Bifidobacterium strain secreting a claudin-targeting molecule in a mouse breast cancer model. European Journal of Pharmacology, 887, 173596.
Slavin, J. (2013). Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417-1435.
Slavin, J. (2013). Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417-1435.
Srikantha, P., & Mohajeri, M. H. (2019). The possible role of the microbiota-gut-brain-axis in autism spectrum disorder. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(9), 2115.
Sunu, P., Sunarti, D., Mahfudz, L. D., & Yunianto, V. D. (2019). Prebiotic activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on Lactobacillus acidophilus. Veterinary World, 12(12), 2046.
Torres, D. P., Gonçalves, M. D. P. F., Teixeira, J. A., & Rodrigues, L. R. (2010). Galacto-oligosaccharides: production, properties, applications, and significance as prebiotics. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 9(5), 438-454.
Toumi, R., Abdelouhab, K., Rafa, H., Soufli, I., Raissi-Kerboua, D., Djeraba, Z., & Touil-Boukoffa, C. (2013). Beneficial role of the probiotic mixture Ultrabiotique on maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier in DSS-induced experimental colitis. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology, 35(3), 403-409.
Wan, X., Guo, H., Liang, Y., Zhou, C., Liu, Z., Li, K., … & Wang, L. (2020). The physiological functions and pharmaceutical applications of inulin: A review. Carbohydrate polymers, 246, 116589.
Wang, X., Zhang, P., & Zhang, X. (2021). Probiotics regulate gut microbiota: an effective method to improve immunity. Molecules, 26(19), 6076
Wilson, B., & Whelan, K. (2017). Prebiotic inulin-type fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides: definition, specificity, function, and application in gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 32, 64-68.
Yadav, M. K., Kumari, I., Singh, B., Sharma, K. K., & Tiwari, S. K. (2022). Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: Safe options for next-generation therapeutics. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 106(2), 505-521.
Yan, B., Huang, C., Lai, C., Ling, Z., & Yong, Q. (2022). Production of prebiotic xylooligosaccharides from industrial-derived xylan residue by organic acid treatment. Carbohydrate Polymers, 292, 119641.
Yin, X., Cai, T., Liu, C., Ma, Y., Hu, J., Jiang, J., & Wang, K. (2022). A novel solvothermal biorefinery for production of lignocellulosic xylooligosaccharides, fermentable sugars and lignin nano-particles in biphasic system. Carbohydrate Polymers, 295, 119901.
Zhang, Z., Lv, J., Pan, L., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Roles and applications of probiotic Lactobacillus strains. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 102, 8135-8143.
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share