Abstract
The prevalence of allergic and autoimmune diseases has been increasing from the last decades of 20th century. Intestinal microflora contributes to antigen exposure in early life and is one of the most abundant sources of early immune stimulation as well as adaptation. Because allergic and autoimmune responses manifest early in life, there has been obvious interest in the potential benefits of modifying the gastrointestinal flora by using probiotic supplementation. So far, there have been several studies to address the role of probiotics in primary prevention and therapy, with a reported suspicious reduction in the incidence of atopic and autoimmune diseases. Here, our aim is to evaluate the available knowledge of mechanisms of preventative and therapeutic role of probiotics in different allergic and autoimmune disorders. Promising mechanisms of probiotic effects may be categorized as local and systemic effects. Local influences of probiotics potentially include reduction of gut permeability and systemic penetration of antigens, increased local immunoglobulin A production, and alteration of local inflammation or tolerance induction. Some possible systemic effects consist of anti-inflammatory effects mediated by Th17 cells and Toll-like receptors, Th1 skewing of responses to allergens, activation of tolerogenic dendritic cells, in addition to T-regulatory cell production.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONThe gastrointestinal tract of the newborn baby is sterile. Ö
The gastrointestinal tract of the newborn baby is sterile.Soon after birth, it is colonized by many different microorganisms
Immunomodulation: Th1/T-helper 2 (Th2) Balance, Serum Cytokines and IgE Production In addition to maturing gut barrier, certain strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria modulate the production of cytokines by monocytes and lymphocytes, and may divert the immune system in a regulatory or tolerant mode [48,49]
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract of the newborn baby is sterile. Ö. The new version of “hygiene hypothesis” proposes that reduced exposure to environmental and/or enteric stimuli, including microbes, underlies the rising incidence of childhood atopic as well as autoimmune diseases This hypothesis is supported by data that highlight the importance of infant exposure to environmental microbes for appropriate development of the immune system [14]. Recent studies have revealed that exposure of genetically diabetes-susceptible animals to certain microbes or microbial agents at an early age prevent the induction and progression of disease This suggests that microbes may act to modulate the immunological status or immune repertoire of an individual genetically programmed for type 1 diabetes away from an autoimmune response [17]. Under the light of recent literature probiotic use in the therapy and prevention of atopic as well as autoimmune diseases is being discussed in detail
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