The Influence of Probiotics on the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio in the Treatment of Obesity and Inflammatory Bowel disease.

2020-11-01
Microorganisms 8(11)
- Spase Stojanov
- Aleš Berlec
- Borut Štrukelj

PubMed: 33139627
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111715

Study Design

Type: Review

Highly Cited

The two most important bacterial phyla in the gastrointestinal tract, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, have gained much attention in recent years. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio is widely accepted to have an important influence in maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis. Increased or decreased F/B ratio is regarded as dysbiosis, whereby the former is usually observed with obesity, and the latter with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Probiotics as live microorganisms can confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. There is considerable evidence of their nutritional and immunosuppressive properties including reports that elucidate the association of probiotics with the F/B ratio, obesity, and IBD. Orally administered probiotics can contribute to the restoration of dysbiotic microbiota and to the prevention of obesity or IBD. However, as the effects of different probiotics on the F/B ratio differ, selecting the appropriate species or mixture is crucial. The most commonly tested probiotics for modifying the F/B ratio and treating obesity and IBD are from the genus Lactobacillus. In this paper, we review the effects of probiotics on the F/B ratio that lead to weight loss or immunosuppression.

Research Insights

Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118→Improved Gut Microbiota Balance
Orally administered probiotics can contribute to the restoration of dysbiotic microbiota and to the prevention of obesity or IBD. However, as the effects of different probiotics on the F/B ratio differ, selecting the appropriate species or mixture is crucial. The most commonly tested probiotics for modifying the F/B ratio and treating obesity and IBD are from the genus Lactobacillus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118→Reduced Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Orally administered probiotics can contribute to the restoration of dysbiotic microbiota and to the prevention of obesity or IBD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118→Reduced Inflammation
The most commonly tested probiotics for modifying the F/B ratio and treating obesity and IBD are from the genus Lactobacillus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118→Reduced Obesity
Orally administered probiotics can contribute to the restoration of dysbiotic microbiota and to the prevention of obesity or IBD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118→Restored Gut Microbiome Balance
Orally administered probiotics can contribute to the restoration of dysbiotic microbiota and to the prevention of obesity or IBD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate