Postbiotics as Mitochondrial Modulators in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential.
- 2025-07-01
- Biomolecules 15(7)
- Santosh Kumar Prajapati
- Dhananjay Yadav
- Shweta Katiyar
- Shalini Jain
- Hariom Yadav
- PubMed: 40723826
- DOI: 10.3390/biom15070954
Postbiotics, which are non-viable microbial derivatives including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial peptides, and cell wall components, are emerging as novel therapeutic agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Unlike probiotics, postbiotics offer a safer, more stable alternative while retaining potent bioactivity. IBD, encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Recent evidence links mitochondrial dysfunction marked by impaired energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis with the pathogenesis and persistence of IBD. Postbiotics have shown the ability to modulate mitochondrial health through multiple mechanisms. SCFAs such as butyrate serve as primary energy substrates for colonocytes, enhancing mitochondrial respiration and promoting biogenesis. They improve mitochondrial function and boost ATP production. Moreover, postbiotics reduce oxidative damage by regulating antioxidant defenses. These antioxidant actions limit epithelial apoptosis and preserve cellular integrity. In addition, postbiotics regulate mitophagy and help maintain mitochondrial quality and reduce inflammation. Structural components such as lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan have been shown to interact with mitochondrial pathways and modulate inflammatory responses. Collectively, this review explores the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction, IBD, and preventive approach using postbiotics. Understanding the connections with postbiotics could open up new avenues for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating IBD severity in people with IBD.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 | Improved Mitochondrial Function | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 | Reduced Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 | Reduced Oxidative Stress | Beneficial | Moderate |