Research Advances in the Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on Ulcerative Colitis Management

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with an unknown etiology. The primary symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucopurulent bloody stools, which manifest in recurrent episodes and often resist therapeutic interventions. Recent research has increasingly emphasized the potential role of probiotics in the management of UC, revealing a significant dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota of affected individuals. Probiotic supplementation has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating UC symptoms through various mechanisms. Probiotics contribute to the restoration of the intestinal microecosystem balance by promoting beneficial bacteria and inhibiting pathogenic strains. They also play a role in modulating the immune response, thereby reducing inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokines, which collectively help mitigate intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, certain probiotics have been shown to improve intestinal barrier function, preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and enhancing intestinal permeability. Although numerous animal studies and clinical trials have validated the positive effects of probiotics on UC, the degree of efficacy varies among different strains. This article reviews the mechanisms and clinical applications of probiotics in the management of UC, offering new insights for its clinical treatment.