title: The role of probiotics in the prevention of severe infections following abdominal surgery.
abstract: Administration of probiotics has been proposed for various medical and surgical conditions. Their effect has been largely attributed to their ability to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier as well as to modulate the innate immune response. Multiple studies have demonstrated their effect in reducing infectious complications in critically ill patients, minimising bacterial translocation and increasing the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, they have been shown to be effective in reducing infections following colorectal surgery, while at the same time preventing overgrowth of bacterial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of anastomotic leak. Recent experimental studies have demonstrated that probiotics may decrease expression of the SOCS3 gene, which encodes the protein SOCS3 that suppresses cytokine production, implying a direct interaction of probiotics with the innate immune system. These results hold high promises for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stavrou
authors.affiliation: 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: egiamarel@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Evangelos J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Giamarellos-Bourboulis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotzampassi
mesh_terms: D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: C106644:SOCS3 protein, human; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
keywords: Abdominal surgery; Critical illness; Gut barrier; Infections; Probiotics; SOCS3