[Intestinal microorganisms and their significance for health].
The normal microbiota and man form a superorganism, in which only 10% are human cells. The skin and mucous membranes support 10(14) living microbes, mainly at the end of the gastrointestinal tract, forming a 1.5-kg cell mass ecosystem mainly consisting of bacteria. Investigations of the intestinal microbiota have yielded an estimated biodiversity of 1200-16000 bacterial phylotypes. They are known to affect physiology, development of immune defense, colonization resistance and nutrition. Changes in microbial population can be associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta, Helsingin yliopiston.
D044822:Biodiversity; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*