Department of Medicine and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Nov;10(11):1220-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2012.09.020. Epub 2012 Sep 23.
Despite the hyperbole often linked with a popular research field, the scientific rationale for probiotics is sound. The probiotic concept is not new but is undergoing transition as knowledge of the gut microbiota in health and disease becomes translated to the clinic. Operationally, a probiotic represents a mimic of and/or supplement to the normal gut microbiota. Much confusion has arisen among consumers because of media misportrayals of probiotics as all being the same. However, with clarification of the molecular basis of host-microbe interactions, the selection criteria for probiotics and the delineation of their distinct mechanisms of action are improving. Most probiotics are from the genus Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium; this is likely to change and diversify. Similarly, the development of new therapeutic strategies, such as the development of phagebiotics, psychobiotics, and genetically modified pharmabiotics, is poised to become a therapeutic reality.
尽管与热门研究领域相关的夸张说法屡见不鲜，但益生菌的科学原理是合理的。益生菌的概念并不新鲜，而是随着对健康和疾病中肠道微生物组的知识转化为临床实践而正在发生转变。从操作上讲，益生菌代表了正常肠道微生物组的模拟物和/或补充物。由于媒体对益生菌的错误描述，将它们都视为相同的，消费者对此产生了很多困惑。然而，随着宿主-微生物相互作用的分子基础的阐明，益生菌的选择标准及其独特作用机制的划分正在得到改善。大多数益生菌来自乳杆菌属或双歧杆菌属；这种情况可能会发生变化和多样化。同样，新的治疗策略的发展，例如噬菌体益生菌、心理益生菌和基因修饰的药物益生菌的发展，即将成为治疗的现实。
