Med. praxi. 2010;7(11):408-413

Intestinal microflora, gastrointestinal ecosystem and probiotics

prof.MUDr.Přemysl Frič, DrSc.

Interní klinika 1. lékařské fakulty UK a Ústřední vojenské nemocnice, Praha

Intestinal microflora is a postnatal acquired organ. Its metabolic activities are comparable with liver metabolism. Intestinal microflora, the

mucosal immune system, and the intestinal mucosal barrier constitute a highly integrated complex, the gastrointestinal ecosystem. The

full morphological and functional maturity of individual components requires frequent interactions marked with a brittle equilibrium.

Their disturbances participate in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The probiotics stabilize the functions of individual components

of the gastrointestinal ecosystem and contribute to the constitution and preservation of the physiological equilibrium. Probiotics have the

prerequisites to become a new method of biological therapy.

Keywords: intestinal microflora, gastrointestinal ecosystem, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics

Published: January 1, 2011  Show citation