Andrea Piccioni, Sara Cicchinelli*, Federico Valletta, Giulio De Luca, Yaroslava Longhitano, Marcello Candelli, Veronica Ojetti, Francesco Sardeo, Simone Navarra, Marcello Covino and Francesco Franceschi Pages 3147 - 3159 ( 13 )
Background: The role of gut microbiota in human disease is fascinating for hundreds of researchers worldwide. Many works have highlighted that gut microbiota modulates the immune system and that its disruption can trigger autoimmune and inflammatory immune-mediated diseases. Probiotics are able to positively modify microbiota composition.
Objective: The aim of this review is to report the most important findings regarding the effects of probiotics administration in the most common autoimmune disease and inflammatory immune-mediated diseases.
Methods: Literature research was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline, as well as in specific journal websites using the keywords: “autoimmunity”, “microbiota”, and “probiotics”. The article selection has been made independently by three authors, and controversies have been solved by a fourth researcher. Only English-language articles were included and preference was given to clinical trials, meta-analysis, and case series. After the review process, 68 articles have been considered.
Results: Relying on this evidence, many studies have investigated the potential of probiotics in restoring gut eubiosis, thus affecting pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and course of these pathologies. Even in the light of few and sometimes contradictory studies, physicians should start to consider these preliminary findings when approaching patients suffering from autoimmune disease. After an accurate case-by-case evaluation of potential candidates, probiotics might be introduced besides the standard therapeutic plan as supportive measures.
Probiotics, microbiota, dysbiosis, eubiosis, autoimmunity, immune-mediated diseases.
Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa - Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Unit, IRCCS Polyclinic Hospital San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome