Role of probiotics in modulation of immune system

Probiotički mikroorganizmi mogu djelovati modulacijski na imunosni sustav. Ovaj rad opisuje načine na koje je to ostvareno in vivo ili in vitro. Najčešće korišteni i istraživani probiotici su bakterije iz roda Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus te kvasac Saccharomyces. Probiotike možemo konzumirati u obliku prehrambenih proizvoda ili dodataka prehrani. Oni mogu inhibirati adheziju patogena na crijevni epitel, pojačati nespecifičnu imunosnu reakciju aktivacijom makrofaga i NK stanica i povećati razinu sekrecijskog imunoglobulina A (sIgA) u crijevima. Konzumacija probiotika pokazala je povoljno djelovanje u liječenju infekcija gornjih dišnih putova i ublažavanju simptoma kroničnih upalnih bolesti crijeva koje se pripisuje njihovom protuupalnom djelovanju. Osim toga, konzumacija probiotika tijekom trudnoće povećava razinu IgA u majčinom mlijeku. Iako postoje jaki dokazi za blagotvorno djelovanje probiotika, potrebna su daljna istraživanja vezana za njihov učinak u liječenju različitih bolesti.Probiotic microorganisms can modulate the immune system. This paper describes the ways in which that is accomplished in vivo or in vitro. The most commonly used and investigated probiotics are bacteria from the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus genus and Saccharomyces yeast. Probiotics can be consumed in the form of food products or dietary supplements. They can inhibit adhesion of pathogens to the intestinal epithelium, enhance non-specific immune response by activating macrofages and NK cells, and increase secretion of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the intestine. Consumption of probiotics has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of upper respiratory infections and relief of symptoms in chronic inflammatory bowel disease attributed to ther anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, probiotic consumption during pregnancy increases IgA levels in breast milk. Although there is strong evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics, further research is needed to evaluate their effect in the treatment of various diseases