Interní Med. 2008; 10(7): 345-347

PROBLEMS OF PROBIOTIC THERAPY

prof. MUDr. Přemysl Frič DrSc

Interní klinika 1. LF UK a Ústřední vojenské nemocnice, subkatedra gastroenterologie IPVZ, Praha

Molecular biology significantly increased our knowledge of the properties of probiotics and their therapeutic potential. At present not only native but also recombinant and chimeric probiotics are available. These new generations of probiotics enable additional applications: in-situ synthesis, secretion and targeted administration of biological molecules as well as binding of microbial toxins by chimeric lipopolysaccharide of saprophytic microbes. Experimental trials are, however, much ahead of clinical applications. In these studies it is necessary to move from the general concept of suitable effects of probiotics to determination of specific effects of defined probiotic strains in specific situations. Probiotics are mostly marketed as nutritional supplements in which a therapeutic effect is not requested. Nevertheless, future development of probiotic therapy requires establishing of registration criteria for probiotic drugs. At present additional problems are investigated in connection with probiotic therapy. They include: transfer of genotoxic and cytotoxic substances, genes of antibiotic resistance, application in neonatal and perinatal life period, as well as in polymorbid and immunocompromised individuals. The results of these studies will hopefully enable to exploit the potential of probiotic therapy with simultaneous preservation of its high security.

Keywords: Key words: probiotics, experimental studies, clinical application, new questions.

Published: October 1, 2008  Show citation