Department of Paediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2013 Jan;29(1):31-8. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e32835a3500.
This review discusses the structural composition of intestinal microbiota, the functional relationship between the latter and the host, and the role of abnormal microflora in chronic diseases.
A more complete view of the gut microbiota is being developed following the Human Microbiome Project. The microflora in children is plastic, susceptible to changes in response to diet modifications, antibiotic treatment and other events, providing the opportunity to study its functional role. Increasing evidence highlights the role of nutrition in the age-related development of microflora. Eubiosis, that is, a normal microflora structure, provides protection against infections, educates the immune system, ensures tolerance to foods, and contributes to nutrient digestion and energy harvest. Changes in microflora, consisting in the overpresence of harmful species or underpresence of commensal species, or dysbiosis produce dysfunctions, such as intestinal inflammation or dysmotility. Moreover abnormal pattern of microflora have been consistently detected in specific diseases.
A relationship exists between eubiosis and functions and conversely between dysbiosis and dysfunctions or even diseases. Abnormalities in microflora composition may trigger or contribute to specific diseases. This raises the hypothesis to target microflora in order to restore eubiosis through the use of antibiotics, probiotics or nutrients.
本综述讨论了肠道微生物菌群的结构组成、后者与宿主之间的功能关系，以及异常微生物菌群在慢性疾病中的作用。
人类微生物组计划(Human Microbiome Project)之后，人们对肠道微生物菌群有了更全面的认识。儿童的微生物菌群具有可塑性，易受饮食改变、抗生素治疗和其他因素的影响而发生变化，这为研究其功能作用提供了机会。越来越多的证据强调了营养在微生物菌群与年龄相关的发展中的作用。正常微生物菌群结构即生态平衡，可提供抗感染、教育免疫系统、确保对食物的耐受性，并有助于营养物质的消化和能量的获取。微生物菌群的改变，即有害物种的过度存在或共生物种的不足，或菌群失调，会导致功能障碍，如肠道炎症或运动障碍。此外，在特定疾病中一致检测到异常的微生物菌群模式。
生态平衡与功能之间存在着关系，反之，菌群失调与功能障碍甚至疾病之间也存在着关系。微生物菌群组成的异常可能会引发或促成特定疾病。这就提出了一种假说，即通过使用抗生素、益生菌或营养物质来靶向微生物菌群，以恢复生态平衡。
