Intestinal microflora as a therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease.
Although the causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain incompletely understood, increasing evidence implicates intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Alteration of intestinal flora therefore may offer a plausible therapeutic approach. Although recent data support a potential therapeutic role for probiotics and prebiotics in patients with IBD, such treatments need to be further assessed by large, double-blind controlled trials. A better understanding of the intestinal microflora and the mechanisms of their action may help us to develop more effective treatment for IBD.
Mitsuyama
Keiichi
K
Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Toyonaga
Atsushi
A
Sata
Michio
M
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents