Prospects of Using Microbiota Correction Methods in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Aim. The present article examines key methods of microbiota correction (antibiotic therapy; pro-, pre- and metabiotic therapy; faecal microbiota transplantation) used in treating inflammatory bowel disease, as well as compares the clinical trial results of these methods.Key findings. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of chronic diseases of unknown aetiology. In the past, bacteriological methods based on the isolation of a pure bacterial culture were used to determine the microbiota composition. However, such methods did not provide complete information on the microbiota composition. In recent years, preference has been given to more accurate and faster molecular genetic methods allowing a more detailed study of the key mechanisms by which microbiota affects the intestine in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), as well as of the effect of microbial metabolites on their pathogenesis. The article provides an overview of main microbiota metabolites and their role in regulating the intestinal barrier function. One of the current issues consists in the development of personalised approaches to therapy and remission maintenance in IBD, including via methods for correcting the microbial composition: probiotic, prebiotic and metabiotic therapy, as well as faecal microbiota transplantation.Conclusion. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, and metabiotics can enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens and significantly improve the quality of life of patients with chronic IBD. The use of antibiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation in treating IBD is the subject of extensive discussion and debate. The safety of these methods has not been confirmed so far; therefore, it is vital to continue studying their influence on the clinical condition of patients.