The effects of microbiota-targeted approaches in inflammatory bowel disease: probiotics, probiotic foods, and prebiotics

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has emerged as a global disease with a complex pathogenesis, while perturbations in the gut microbiota have been shown to be closely related to its initiation and progression. Gut microbiota-targeted nutritional interventions have been promoted as promising approaches for managing IBD. Here, we summarize the latest understanding of gut microbiota in the context of IBD through its interactions with susceptibility genes, the intestinal barrier, host immunity, and metabolites. We also present abundant evidence on the effects of nutritional strategies that target the microbiota, including probiotics, probiotic foods, and prebiotics. Our research suggests that more clinical trials and mechanistic studies on IBD are needed to contribute to their applications as dietary supplements or functional foods.

Automated summary

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global disease with a complex pathogenesis, and its initiation and progression are closely related to perturbations in the gut microbiota. This article summarizes the latest understanding of the gut microbiota in the context of IBD, including its interactions with susceptibility genes, the intestinal barrier, host immunity, and metabolites. The effects of microbiota-targeted nutritional strategies, such as probiotics, probiotic foods, and prebiotics, are also discussed. More clinical trials and mechanistic studies on IBD are needed to further explore their potential as dietary supplements or functional foods.