Prevention Of Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Articles

Modern approaches to the eradication of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>: a spectrum of perspectives

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most widespread infections, affecting approximately 50% of the global population, with the Russian Federation ranking among the regions with a relatively high prevalence. Eradication therapy remains the primary strategy, not only for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases but also for reducing the risk of stomach cancer, highlighting the medical and social impact of this infection. A key factor contributing to the reduced effectiveness of eradication therapy is the microorganism’s primary or secondary resistance to antibacterial drugs, a problem recognized worldwide. It is widely acknowledged that national treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection must be adapted based on systematic antimicrobial sensitivity testing to curb the rise of global antibiotic resistance. Despite decades of research and clinical practice, identifying the most effective, safe, and straightforward therapy remains a significant challenge for clinicians. This review provides a comparative analysis of current treatment recommendations for Helicobacter pylori infection, as presented by various national and regional gastroenterological societies, including those relevant in the Russian Federation.

Methodological Guidelines of the Scientific Community for Human Microbiome Research (CHMR) and the Russian Gastroenterology Association (RGA) on the Use of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Metabiotics and Functional Foods Enriched with Them for the Treatment and Prevention of Gastrointestinal Diseases in Adults and Children

Aim: to optimize outcomes of the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in adults and children. Key points. The Methodological Guidelines contain sections on the terminology, classification, mechanisms of action, requirements for sale in the Russian Federation, requirements for proving the efficacy and safety of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and metabiotics, as well as functional foods enriched with them. An overview of relevant data allowing to include these drugs and products in the treatment an d prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in adults and children is presented. Conclusion. The clinical efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and metabiotics depends on the specificity and quantity of their components, the dosage form, the regimen and duration of treatment. Products and functional foods with proven efficacy and safety are recommended for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in adults and children.

A Narrative Review: Immunometabolic Interactions of Host-Gut Microbiota and Botanical Active Ingredients in Gastrointestinal Cancers.

The gastrointestinal tract is where the majority of gut microbiota settles; therefore, the composition of the gut microbiota and the changes in metabolites, as well as their modulatory effects on the immune system, have a very important impact on the development of gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this article was to review the role of the gut microbiota in the host environment and immunometabolic system and to summarize the beneficial effects of botanical active ingredients on gastrointestinal cancer, so as to provide prospective insights for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. A literature search was performed on the PubMed database with the keywords "gastrointestinal cancer", "gut microbiota", "immunometabolism", "SCFAs", "bile acids", "polyamines", "tryptophan", "bacteriocins", "immune cells", "energy metabolism", "polyphenols", "polysaccharides", "alkaloids", and "triterpenes". The changes in the composition of the gut microbiota influenced gastrointestinal disorders, whereas their metabolites, such as SCFAs, bacteriocins, and botanical metabolites, could impede gastrointestinal cancers and polyamine-, tryptophan-, and bile acid-induced carcinogenic mechanisms. GPRCs, HDACs, FXRs, and AHRs were important receptor signals for the gut microbial metabolites in influencing the development of gastrointestinal cancer. Botanical active ingredients exerted positive effects on gastrointestinal cancer by influencing the composition of gut microbes and modulating immune metabolism. Gastrointestinal cancer could be ameliorated by altering the gut microbial environment, administering botanical active ingredients for treatment, and stimulating or blocking the immune metabolism signaling molecules. Despite extensive and growing research on the microbiota, it appeared to represent more of an indicator of the gut health status associated with adequate fiber intake than an autonomous causative factor in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. This study detailed the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers and the botanical active ingredients used for their treatment in the hope of providing inspiration for research into simpler, safer, and more effective treatment pathways or therapeutic agents in the field.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and digestive tract diseases and analysis of risk factors: a cross-sectional study based on 3867 Chinese patients.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infect nearly half of the global population, contributing to upper digestive tract diseases. This 2019 cross-sectional study included 3,867 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and 2,875 undergoing both colonoscopy and EGD. Subjects were categorized into H. pylori positive and negative groups by rapid urease test (RUT). In addition to exploring the relationship between H. pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal diseases, this study further revealed that H. pylori infection was closely related to lower digestive tract diseases, including colorectal polyp (63.28%) and colorectal cancer (75.76%), as well as upper and lower gastrointestinal comorbidities, including chronic atrophic gastritis with colorectal polyp (79.85%), peptic ulcer with colorectal polyp (79.72%), gastric polyp with colorectal polyp (66.24%), and chronic atrophic gastritis with colorectal cancer (92.86%). Besides, a univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare the differences between the two groups (including gender, nationality, marital status, smoking history, drinking history, living area, age, BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels), the results identified marital status and age as independent risk factors for H. pylori infection (OR, 1.435; 95% CI, 1.042 to 1.977; OR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.013). Further clarification of the correlation between the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases and H. pylori infection will be important for H. pylori infection management strategies and the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Phytosterols and the Digestive System: A Review Study from Insights into Their Potential Health Benefits and Safety.

Phytosterols are a large group of substances belonging to sterols-compounds naturally occurring in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The most well-known animal sterol is cholesterol. Among phytosterols, the most significant compounds are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. At present, they are mainly employed in functional food products designed to counteract cardiovascular disorders by lowering levels of 'bad' cholesterol, which stands as their most extensively studied purpose. It is currently understood that phytosterols may also alleviate conditions associated with the gastrointestinal system. Their beneficial pharmacological properties in relation to gastrointestinal tract include anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Also, the anti-cancer properties as well as the impact on the gut microbiome could be a very interesting area of research, which might potentially lead to the discovery of their new application. This article provides consolidated knowledge on a new potential use of phytosterols, namely the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The cited studies indicate high therapeutic efficacy in conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, IBD or liver failure caused by hepatotoxic xenobiotics, however, these are mainly in vitro or in vivo studies. Nevertheless, studies to date indicate their therapeutic potential as adjunctive treatments to conventional therapies, which often exhibit unsatisfactory efficacy or serious side effects. Unfortunately, at this point there is a lack of significant clinical study data to use phytosterols in clinical practice in this area.

Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases in College Students

Objective: This paper aims to discuss the prevention and treatment strategies of gastrointestinal diseases in
 college students. Methods: A sample of 60 college students suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, from August 2021 to August 2022, was used to discuss the symptoms, causes, prevention strategies, and treatment strategies of gastrointestinal diseases based on questionnaire survey. Results: The high-incidence types of gastrointestinal diseases in college students mainly included chronic gastritis, acute gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and dyspepsia, which were closely related to mental state, diet, and living habits. Conclusion: There are many causes of gastrointestinal diseases in college students. During the period of active symptomatic treatment, it is necessary to focus on the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in colleges and universities, correct the unhealthy lifestyle of students, and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.

Polysaccharide Fraction from Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens Attenuates 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucosal Inflammation in Mice

Gastrointestinal toxicity, including diarrhea and inflammation, is commonly observed with the use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Several studies have shown that polysaccharides are interesting bioactive macromolecules for the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, in this study, the effect of a polysaccharide fraction from a mixture of two Guavira species (Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens), referred to here as CPW, on the development of intestinal mucositis was investigated. Intestinal mucositis was induced by a single injection of 5-FU (450 mg/kg), and various doses of CPW (3–100 mg/kg) were tested. CPW attenuated disease development and prevented small bowel dysmotility and colon shortening. CPW prevented the increase in villi width, crypt depth, and mucosal thickness in the duodenum, but not in the colon. Preservation of mucus, reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and prevention of the 5-FU-induced enlargement and swelling of the spleen were observed. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that CPW alleviates the intestinal damage induced by 5-FU and could be used as an adjuvant strategy during chemotherapy.

Prebiotic Activity of Vaginal Lactobacilli on Bifidobacteria: from Concept to Formulation.

The gut of babies born vaginally is rapidly colonized by Bifidobacterium spp. after birth, while in infants born by cesarean section (C-section), the presence of bifidobacteria drops dramatically, increasing the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders. Considering that newborns naturally come into contact with maternal lactobacilli as they pass through the birth canal, the aim of this work is to exploit for the first time the bifidogenic activity exerted by the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) from lactobacilli of vaginal origin, belonging to the species Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. CFSs were recovered after 7 h, 13 h, and 24 h of fermentation and assessed for the ability to stimulate the planktonic growth and biofilms of Bifidobacterium strains belonging to species widely represented in the gut tract. A bifidogenic effect was observed for all CFSs; such activity was maximal for CFSs recovered in exponential phase and was strongly dependent on the species of lactobacilli. Importantly, no stimulating effects on an intestinal Escherichia coli strain were observed. CFSs from L. vaginalis BC17 showed the best bifidogenic profile since they increased bifidobacterial planktonic growth by up to 432% and biofilm formation by up to 289%. The CFS at 7 h from BC17 was successfully formulated with a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel aimed at preventing and treating breast sores in lactating women and exerting bifidogenic activity in infants born mainly by C-section. IMPORTANCE Bifidobacteria in the gut tract of infants play crucial roles in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and the maturation of the immune system. Consequently, strategies to trigger a bifidogenic shift in the infant gut are highly desirable. Evidences suggest that the presence of a maternal vaginal microbiota dominated by health-promoting lactobacilli and the development of a bifidobacterium-enriched gut microbiota in newborns are interconnected. In this context, we found out that the cell-free supernatants from lactobacilli of vaginal origin were able to effectively stimulate the proliferation of Bifidobacterium spp. grown in free-floating and biofilm forms. The cell-free supernatant from Limosilactobacillus vaginalis BC17 showed excellent bifidogenic behavior, which was preserved even after its incorporation into a nipple formulation for lactating women. Lactobacilli derivatives, such as cell-free supernatants, have gained increasing interest by virtue of their safer profile than that of living cells and can be proposed as an ecosustainable approach to favor gut colonization of infants by bifidobacteria.

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in piglets at weaning using probiotics Bacillus coagylans and Bacillus megaterium

The aim of the study is to determine the preventive effect of the use of probiotics Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium in case of gastrointestinal diseases in piglets and as a potential strategy to reduce the misuse of antibiotics in monogastric animals by adding probiotics to the diet of pregnant sows and piglets in the period before and after weaning.
 Materials and methods. Three research groups were formed to study the preventive effect of probiotics of the genus Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium. The piglets of the first experimental group received probiotics at the rate of 0.4 kg per 1 ton of feed in the periods before and after weaning, and that is, the moment of the entire study, the second experimental group received probiotics in the period after weaning, before that they received milk from the sow. The third group was the control group, which received only milk from the sow, and fodder during the weaning period. The effectiveness of the prevention result was determined by the absence/presence of clinical signs of morbidity and % survival of animals during the study period.
 The results. It was established that the preservation of livestock in the 1st experimental group was 90 %, and in the 2nd group – 70 %, and control – 50 %.
 Conclusions. Research results show that probiotics of the genus Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium, the components of which provide a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, are a reliable preventive measure for gastrointestinal diseases in piglets.

Measurement of intraluminal pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract of mice with gastrointestinal diseases

As a fundamental and essential property, gastrointestinal (GI) tract pH reflects its condition and changes in several GI diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastritis, etc. As a result, accurately measuring the GI pH is crucial for treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of GI diseases and contributes to developing GI disease models for basic studies.However, among pH measuring studies with animal models, there is no reliable method that can reflect the value and changing trends of GI pH in actual patients. In the current study, we developed a fast, simple method with pH indicator paper to measure the GI pH changes with GI content in normal mice and mice with colitis or hepatitis.Results demonstrated that normal mice's mean GI pH values were between 6.0 and 8.0, which was consistent with previous reports. Furthermore, the GI pH of colitis and hepatitis model mice showed the same pattern of lower values in the intestine and higher values in the stomach compared with normal mice.Our simple and timesaving method can accurately measure the dramatic changes in the GI pH of mice with GI diseases and is suitable for measuring the pH of sticky liquids with limited volume. Given all the merits listed above, this method is helpful for further research.

The impact of combination of solution plasma processing and pulsed electric field on the viability of probiotic bacteria, microbial growth, and structure of yoghurt drink

In this study, the properties of the milk treated with combination of solution plasma (SP) processing and pulsed electric field (PEF) for different periods (5 and 10 min) was investigated. The microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory properties of the probiotic yoghurt drink (Ayran) produced from these milks were determined during storage. PEF was performed at voltage 3500 V, repetition 17,000 Hz, and pulse width 2.58 μs on the raw milk. Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis probiotic cultures were used in production with conventional yoghurt bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. In addition to the probiotic viability, texture and sensory quality in terms of consumer preference were investigated. It was determined that the viscosity and dry matter values of the solution plasma-treated samples were lower compared to the samples produced by heat treatment, and these values decreased further with the increase in plasma application time. It was also found that the maximum increase in L* and b* values of all samples during storage was in the samples treated with plasma for 10 min. The viability of the probiotic bacteria in probiotic Ayran samples were determined to be within the therapeutic level (>6.27 log10 cfu ml−1) with higher scores for sensorial qualifications. Practical applications Consumers’ expectations of more nutritious and microbiologically safe food have enabled the development of new processing technologies. Probiotic fermented milk products are products that provide health benefits in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, regulation of metabolism, and stimulation of the immune system. The processing of these dairy products with non-thermal technologies provides advantages in preserving their functional properties.

Characteristics of the diet of school-age children and the incidence of gastrointestinal pathology

Background. It is known that malnutrition significantly affects human life expectancy and leads to the emergence and development of non-communicable diseases. A balanced diet is a leading factor in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose was to investigate the state of actual nutrition, indicators of nutritional status and gastrointestinal morbidity in school-age children. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of secondary schools in Chernivtsi and MNPE “Chernivtsi Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital”. A questionnaire method was used with the compilation of individual menus and subsequent analysis of the chemical composition of diets in 162 students. Depending on the state of health, children were divided into groups: I (n = 90) — those with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, II (n = 44) — with functional gastrointestinal disorders, III (n = 28) — individuals without gastrointestinal pathology. Results. Chronic gastrointestinal pathology was diagnosed in 55.5 % of the examined children, functional gastrointestinal diseases — in 27.2 %. The most common chronic pathology is chronic gastroduodenitis. The majority of the surveyed children did not follow the diet, namely 56.5 % of children violated the frequency of intake, 69.2 % did not adhere to the intervals between meals. Most of patients (59.2 %) eat 3–5 times a day, 29.1 % of them eat 3–4 times a day, 30.1 % eat 4–5 times, and 11.7 % less than three times a day. One third of children do not have breakfast at home, and 19.5 % do not have a second breakfast at school. The caloric value of daily diets is lower than the normative indicators, it averages 2,337.64 ± 65.16 kcal and is insufficiently provided by the main components: proteins by 12 %, fats by 25 % and carbohydrates by 63 %. Macro- and micronutrient deficiency is also registered in 53.1 % of children, especially of calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and iodine. Children of groups II and III are less likely to eat fast food compared to those of group I (34.1 and 32.1 vs. 53.3 %, p < 0.05). Conclusions. The diet and nutrition of school-age children with gastrointestinal pathology does not meet hygienic requirements and not only does not provide primary prevention of non-communicable diseases, but, on the contrary, is a risk factor for the latter.

The use of Kutikulin for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in calves and piglets

The use of Kutikulin for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in calves and piglets

The drug Argovit for treatment of piglets when intestinal infections

The drug Argovit developed in the LLC Vector-Vita Research and Production Center has antimicrobial and astringent properties, easily fits into the technology of housing farm animals and poultry in cases of uncomplicated colibacteriosis and is effective in isolated use, it is cheaper than other drugs, which makes it attractive in the modern market of biological products. The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of the drug Argovit for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases of piglets in comparison with the basic drug Baitril used in the farm. Piglets of the experimental group (n=20) with the syndrome of gastrointestinal diseases have been treated with 1,0 % aqueous solution of the drug Argovit at a dose of 2 ml/kg of live weight 2 times a day until clinical recovery. The drug contributed to a lighter course and reduced the duration of the disease by half, while the livability of piglets reached 90,0 %. There was also a weakening of inflammatory processes in the body of piglets of both groups, which was characterized by the decrease in the level of leukocytes in piglets of the experimental group during treatment from 12,9±0,75 to 10,1±0,89×10⁹/l, and in the control group from 11,3±1,20 to 9,0±0,04×10⁹/l. The platelet content in animals at the beginning of the experiment was slightly higher than the lower limit of the norm in the experimental group by 1,8 %, in the control group by 4,7 %. At the same time, the restoration of homeostasis and the decrease in the level of protein in the blood serum have been observed. It has been found that the use of the drug Argovit to piglets during the suckling period and after weaning improves the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood due to the protective forces of protein by 4,7 %, reduces the phenomena of diarrhea, and as a result increases their livability.

Walnut oil alleviates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial cells injury by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway activation.

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of walnut oil (WO) on mouse intestinal epithelial cells using used MODE-K cells as a model and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our data suggested that WO attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pathological changes and inhibited the rate of LPS-induced apoptosis in MODE-K cells. Furthermore, WO down-regulated LPS-induced gene and protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. In conclusion, this study shows that WO exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced MODE-K cells injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway activation. Based on our data, a prominent functional food candidate can be provided for inflammatory bowel disease treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Walnut oil (WO) has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used in traditional dietary supplements. However, whether WO causes anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of WO on mouse intestinal epithelial cells using MODE-K cells as a model and explored their potential mechanisms. Our data showed that WO ameliorated the pathological morphology, inhibited the apoptosis of LPS-induced MODE-K cell injury, decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and down-regulated the related genes and proteins expression of the LPS-TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway. The results of this study would enhance the utilization of WO in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in animals and humans inflammatory bowel disease as well as in functional foods formulations.

The role of the pharmacist in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases

Pharmacists are health care professionals and their role is to provide health services, recommendations and support to all type of patients with a diversity of pathologies, including gastrointestinal diseases. In the last years, in countries where previously some gastrointestinal diseases were not so common, nowadays are augmenting, for example Crohn’s disease. In some country as Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe the number of patients with this type of diseases is constantly growing. Considering its high incidence, physical, mental and economic impact, it is vital to prevent as much as possible its apparition. High risk factors are represented by inadequate diet and lifestyle, medication side effects, drugs interactions or administration and dosage errors. The aim of this paper is to analyze the important role of pharmacists in preventing some gastrointestinal effects by offering correct information and advices to patients. This paper includes information related to self-medication, over-the-counter medication, side effects and the importance of microbial flora, equilibrate diet and lifestyle.

Current Potential of Pantoprazole in Treatment and Prevention of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Aim. An outline of the current potential of pantoprazole in treatment and prevention of upper gastrointestinal diseases.Key points. Pantoprazole is widely applied in gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer disease, Zollinger—Ellison syndrome and for Helicobacter pylori eradication. It minimally inhibits the CYP2C19 isoenzyme involved in the metabolism of many drugs. Pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole conditions a weaker drug interaction compared to other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which enables its use for gastrointestinal bleeding prevention in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. The new coronaviral pandemic of COVID-19 urges the selection of PPIs that minimise the drug interference, such as pantoprazole, in therapy and prevention of acid-related upper gastrointestinal diseases. Pantoprazole has a good tolerance and low side effect rate.Conclusion. Pantoprazole is considered among optimal PPIs for efficacy, safety and adherence on the basis of clinical trials for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Optimization of growth processes of the selected strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (B-4107) K-1-T with the prospect of its use for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in calves

Gastrointestinal diseases of young cattle occupy the bulk of the total number of postnatally significant diseases in terms of coverage, which causes significant economic damage to animal husbandry. In the modern world, the basis for prophylactic that is safe for a living organism is the use of bacterial preparations created from symbiotic selected probiotic strains with the inclusion of a functional substance and a prebiotic. In this regard, the role of lactulose, which meets all the necessary international requirements, becomes particularly important. When determining the influence of the prebiotic Lactulose, as a catalytic enzyme, on the growth processes of the collection strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (B-4107) K-1-T, it was experimentally established that the prebiotic. Lactulose has a significant effect on the growth and activity of the tested strain of lactic acid microorganisms. The following data is necessary for the development of effective means of normalizing the microbiota in the prophylactic of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of young animals of infectious and non-infectious etiology.

Lactobacillus acidophilus ve Lactobacillus rhamnosus için Nerium oleander L. Ekstraktının Prebiyotik Olarak Kullanım Olanaklarının Araştırılması

The use of microorganisms that support human health and stimulate the immune system is gaining more importance. It is thought that probiotic bacterial strains, representing a significant portion of these microorganisms, may be treated in different disease groups. For instance, prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation, urogenital system health, rotavirus diarrhea as well as colon cancer can be prevented using probiotics. The probiotic bacterial strains, have basic needs such as bacterial auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity. Due to the phytochemicals contained in the Nerium oleander L., this plant has been used as medicinal plants. Such plants, when ingested, contact with the human gastrointestinal microbiome, so beneficial microorganisms can be affected. Thus, present study aimed to investigate the effects of Nerium oleander L. extract on two of the most studied and very well-known probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Nerium oleander L. was extracted using ethanol. Probiotics were grown in the presence of this extract. Surface hydrophobicity of probiotics grown in the presence of plant extract was assessed by Microbial Adhesion to Solvents (MATS) Assay, and auto-aggregation was performed. Auto-aggregation and surface hydrophobicity properties of these bacteria can be modulated by this plant, due to its phytochemicals. Auto-aggregation, as well as surface hydrophobicity were increased or decreased dependent on the dose as the plant extract The combinations of this plant and a probiotic strain could be next generation functional food, defined as food ingredient that has positive health benefits to the human.

The use of probiotics in pediatric practice

Human microbiota takes part in various physiological processes of the body, and violation of its qualitative and quantitative composition is associated with the development of several diseases. Microbiota and macroorganism coexist in a kind of symbiosis, where each partner benefits from each other and affects the other. The effects of microbiota are manifested both locally and on a systemic level. The function of the microbiota to maintain homeostasis is comparable to that of any other vital organ, so any disturbance of its composition can lead to deviations in the state of human health. The article deals with ways of correction of intestinal microbiota disturbances with the help of probiotic preparations. The urgency of the problem is caused by the abundance of probiotic preparations offered at the pharmaceutical market and insufficient knowledge about them in large studies involving children. The article presents the requirements for efficacy and safety of probiotic strains both included in preparations and having the status of biologically active additives, including those used in pediatrics. Data on the role of both probiotics as a whole and individual strains in the prevention and treatment of digestive tract diseases in children are presented. The effectiveness of the most studied probiotic strains, in particular Lactobacillis rhamnosus GG , in therapeutic schemes and in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in children, in particular in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and functional abdominal pain, is analyzed.