Probiotics and Fecal microbiota transplants: Mechanisms underlying the Therapeutic Benefits in Manipulating the Gut Microbiome

The mechanisms underlying therapeutic benefits in manipulating the human gut microbiome through Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotic administration has been a subject of great study. Dysbiosis, as in imbalance of the human gut bacterial composition, has been linked to immunodeficiency and increased susceptibility to chronic infections. Manipulating the microbiome works as a means of reversing this effect for therapeutic benefits. Competitive exclusion refers to the microbiota outcompeting pathogens for nutrients and creating an unfavorable environment for pathogenic growth. Preliminary studies show, toxin inactivation can occur through protease activity, while pathogen viability can be impacted directly through the stimulation of host-cell defenses and bacteriocin-like mechanisms. FMT has been established as a way to treat Clostridium difficile infections and along with probiotic-use it has been assessed to if and how it can carry therapeutic benefits in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), obesity, metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, and even mental health disorders. Studies suggest a need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of treating dysbiosis in conferring therapeutic benefits.