Next-generation probiotics could play 'pivotal role' in personalized medicine
NGPs are designed for targeted action on specific conditions like obesity. Writing in the journal Nutrients, researchers from the Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology–State Research Institute in Poland outlined how these strains may exhibit “better properties” than traditional probiotics.
The research found limited research on NGP’s ability to neutralize obesogenic bisphenols—chemical contaminants commonly found in food. Daily exposure to low doses of various chemicals can lead to “cocktail effects”, making it challenging to assess their impact on health.
“By modulating inflammatory responses and reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, [NGPs] can significantly improve host health,” the researchers wrote.
Search for NGPs 'crucial'
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol B (BPB), are commonly used to produce food packaging including plastic containers.
EDCs disrupt hormonal function. For example, BPA exposure causes metabolic dysfunction in mature fat cells and triggers production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This can predispose people to obesity.
There is increasing evidence probiotics can bind to and/or degrade food contaminants, providing a safe way to remove them without compromising food’s nutritional value.
However, to effectively counter disrupted microbial profiles and specific imbalances caused by chemical food contaminants, dedicated and integrated preventive and therapeutic measures are essential. In this context, the search for NGPs becomes crucial.
Currently, Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii are promising as NGPs. According to recent reports, they have the potential to combat diseases resulting from inflammation-based dysbiosis caused by exposure to chemical food contaminants.
Challenges in bringing NGPs to market
The researchers noted that traditional probiotics show limited efficacy in alleviating certain diseases, particularly metabolic disorders and obesity. Their overall impact and functions in disease mitigation are statistically marginal. Plus, despite widespread use, there is lack of conclusive evidence of their efficacy, leading to an urgent need to identify specific NGPs for particular conditions.
Several challenges must be addressed before NGPs can be widely used in clinical practice. NGPs can be considered drugs, which require more rigorous classification. More research on NGPs is essential, including evaluating their effectiveness in treating target diseases. There also needs to be more research on physiological, genomic and metabolomic properties and potential virulence factors and host interactions, the researchers noted.
Also, most potential NGPs face challenges related to nutritional requirements and sensitivity to oxygen conditions. These pose technological challenges to large-scale production.
New opportunities in probiotics
The researchers noted that, “NGPs, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, are being intensively studied due to their potential health benefits, which may surpass those offered by traditional bacterial strains.”
By restoring homeostasis, NGPs counteract the negative effects of EDCs, contributing to improved immune, gut and metabolic function. Maintaining this balance is essential for health and protects the body from the long-term effects of environmental chemicals.
While NGPs may play a pivotal role in personalized medicine, allowing for the development of individualized probiotic therapies, extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety, before they can be widely implemented, particularly in people with chronic diseases.
“Bringing these probiotics to market also requires appropriate regulatory measures,” the study concluded. “Despite their research challenges, NGPs offer new opportunities for combating obesity and its related complications.”
Source: Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3757
doi: 10.3390/nu16213757
"Mitigating Dietary Bisphenol Exposure Through the Gut Microbiota: The Role of Next-Generation Probiotics in Bacterial Detoxification."
Authors: Emanowicz, P. et al
