An overview of the role of probiotics in pregnancy-associated pathologies with a special focus on preterm birth. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dibo, Marcos; Ventimiglia, María Silvia; Valeff, Natalin; Serradell, María de los Ángeles; Jensen, Federico
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 150(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Pregnancy -- Preterm birth -- Probiotics; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Abstract: Probiotics can modulate the host immune system and keep a healthy microbiota thus enhancing the integrity of the mucosal epithelium. They were proven to be useful as therapeutic strategies for a variety of inflammatory diseases. Preterm birth is a multicausal complication where the early inflammatory cascade activation affects both the mother and the fetus and may have an irreversibly impact on infant development. Prevention of preterm birth is a challenge that calls for different strategies targeting its diverse etiologies. For the past decade, novel and numerous studies investigated the role of probiotics for the prevention of preterm birth given their above-mentioned abilities. This allows a wider approach to the multifactorial causes of preterm birth. In this sense, probiotic administration was shown to be inversely related to the rate of preterm birth. In this review, we discuss the latest reports involving probiotics and preterm birth, and the chances of probiotics becoming a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of pregnancy-associated pathologies like preterm birth shortly. Highlights: Probiotics can modulate the host immune system and keep a healthy microbiota. Probiotics can prevent a variety of inflammatory diseases. Sterile or infection-associated inflammation are the main causes of preterm birth. Probiotics could become a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of preterm birth.