title: Prebiotics: A Potential Treatment Strategy for the Chemotherapy-damaged Gut?
abstract: Mucositis, characterized by ulcerative lesions along the alimentary tract, is a common consequence of many chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy negatively disrupts the intestinal microbiota, resulting in increased numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridia and Enterobacteriaceae, and decreased numbers of "beneficial" bacteria, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Agents capable of restoring homeostasis in the bowel microbiota could, therefore, be applicable to mucositis. Prebiotics are indigestible compounds, commonly oligosaccharides, that seek to reverse chemotherapy-induced intestinal dysbiosis through selective colonization of the intestinal microbiota by probiotic bacteria. In addition, evidence is emerging that certain prebiotics contribute to nutrient digestibility and absorption, modulate intestinal barrier function through effects on mucin expression, and also modify mucosal immune responses, possibly via inflammasome-mediated processes. This review examines the known mechanisms of prebiotic action, and explores their potential for reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in the intestine.
authors.affiliation: a School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide , Roseworthy Campus , South Australia.
authors.forename: Hanru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide , Roseworthy Campus , South Australia.|b South Australian Research and Development Institute, Pig and Poultry Production Institute, Nutrition Research Laboratory , Roseworthy , South Australia.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.affiliation: a School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide , Roseworthy Campus , South Australia.|c Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology, Children, Youth and Women's Health Service , North Adelaide , South Australia.
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Howarth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: Animal models; chemotherapy; mucositis; prebiotics