Roberta Altomare
Dipartimento DICHIRONS, Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologie Chirurgica e Medicina Rigenerativa nell'Insufficienza d'organo
Giuseppe Damiano
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Maria Concetta Gioviale
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Vincenzo Davide Palumbo
Dipartimento DICHIRONS, Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologie Chirurgica e Medicina Rigenerativa nell'Insufficienza d'organo
Carla Maione
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Gabriele Spinelli
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Emanuele Sinagra
Dipartimento DICHIRONS, Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologie Chirurgica e Medicina Rigenerativa nell'Insufficienza d'organo
Alida Abruzzo
Dipartimento DICHIRONS, Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologie Chirurgica e Medicina Rigenerativa nell'Insufficienza d'organo
Giulia Lo Monte
Biotecnology Course, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Palermo- Italy
Giovanni Tomasello
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Attilio Ignazio Lo Monte
A.U.O.P. “ P. Giaccone “ Universitary Hospital, School of Medicine,University of Palermo, Italy
Keywords
Probiotics, Intestinal Ecosystem, Intestinal Microflora.
Abstract
The term “probiotic” comes from the Greek “pro bios” and means “pro-life”. Nowadays, an increasing number of pharmaceutical preparations and functional foods are enriched with probiotics and for the patients it is increasingly important to receive the information needed to know how to orient in the choice. The benefits from probiotics are many and include the modulation of the intestinal microflora (stimulation of beneficial bacteria and inhibition of pathogens), the support of bowel function and the stimulation of the immune system. This broad spectrum of beneficial effects contributes to maintain efficient the intestinal ecosystem. Therefore, probiotics are an useful tool to prevent the formation of disorders and/or pathologies. The aim of this review is to describe the intestinal ecosystem and how probiotics could be effective in the treatment and prevention of possible alterations.
Abstract 
