Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access

Abstract

Probiotics: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications

Vijaya K Gogineni, Lee E Morrow and Mark A Malesker

Probiotics are living microorganisms which when taken in adequate amount provides benefit to the host. While this beneficial effect was originally thought to stem from improvements in the intestinal microbial balance, there is now substantial evidence that probiotics can also provide benefits by modulating immune functions. Extrapolation of immunomodulatory effects found in the laboratory and in animal studies with outcomes in human trials presents a difficult challenge. Not all probiotics are created equal and the benefits are strain and dose specific. With newer strain-specific clinical trials and meta-analysis of the clinical trials, the beneficial role of probiotics in certain diseases has been evolving. Some uncertainity still exists with probiotics in other diseases with regard to the therapeutic role, strain-specificity, dosage and duration. Identification of clinical characteristics of effective probiotic strains, their mechanisms of action and testing of probiotic-based treatment may provide the true beneficial effect of probiotics in various disorders.