title: Impact of the gut microbiota, prebiotics, and probiotics on human health and disease.
abstract: Recent studies have revealed that the gut microbiota regulates many physiological functions, ranging from energy regulation and cognitive processes to toxin neutralization and immunity against pathogens. Accordingly, alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota have been shown to contribute to the development of various chronic diseases. The main objectives of this review are to present recent breakthroughs in the study of the gut microbiota and show that intestinal bacteria play a critical role in the development of different disease conditions, including obesity, fatty liver disease, and lung infection. We also highlight the potential application of prebiotics and probiotics in maintaining optimal health and treating chronic inflammatory and immunity-related diseases.
authors.forename: Chuan-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chia-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ojcius
authors.forename: Yun-Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan; Chang Gung Biotechnology, Taipei; Biochemical Engineering Research Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, USA, .
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular and Clinical Immunology; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine; Research Center of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Chang Gung University; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan, .
authors.forename: Hsin-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000382:microbiology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics