Animal Models for Probiotic Interventions Under Gut Inflammatory Conditions

Abstract

The chapter summarizes the importance of gut microbiota and the relationship between gut microbiota and different inflammatory disease conditions. It also discusses how the commensals and pathogens modulate intestinal barrier functions directly and indirectly, which is the major factor contributing to gut inflammatory disorders. The brain–gut axis involving the hypothalamus– pituitary–adrenal axis and enteric nervous system has a major role in the inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) pathogenesis. IBD, which is the most common among gut inflammatory disorders, involves a homeostatic imbalance in the microbiota, gut epithelium, and intestinal immune response. This chapter highlights various animal models used to study inflammation related to gut and the management of these pathologies by using different probiotic strains. The probiotics cause immune stimulation through dendritic cells, which further prevents pathogen translocation and strengthens the host immune system. Probiotics, prebiotics, fermentable carbohydrates, and antibiotics are some of the microbiota directed therapies used to modulate host metabolic and immune response in IBD. The most common bacterial strains used in the management of these disorders include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains which have shown good results in mice model. Understanding the mechanisms involved in disorders related to inflammation in the gut will further help in exploring possible therapies for their management.