O EFEITO IMUNOMODULADOR DA MICROBIOTA INTESTINAL, AS CONSEQUÊNCIAS DE SEU DESEQUILÍBRIO E A PROFILAXIA PROBIÓTICA

Abstract

The intestine has long been studied not only as one of the organs of the digestive system, but also as a keystone in the immune response. It harbors much of the lymphoid tissue of the human being. The lymphoid tissue associated with the intestine is responsible for recognizing pathogens and promoting the proper immune response. Besides the lymphoid tissue, the intestine has in its mucosa a great diversity of microorganisms, living in symbiosis with the human being. The set of microorganisms is known as intestinal microbiota and plays a key role in nutrition, protection and intestinal homeostasis. The imbalance of the intestinal microbiota, dysbiosis, has been studied as one of the main factors that allow the development of various intestinal and extra intestinal pathologies. The health of the intestinal microbiota directly reflects on the health of the host. This work is an exploratory research based on the bibliographical review of published articles from the year 1995 to 2016 with the objective of demonstrating the importance of keeping the microbiota healthy, showing its mechanisms of action, as well as describing its immunomodulatory action and the resulting problems of their imbalance. Finally, describing the effectiveness of the use of probiotics and symbiotics in the treatment and prevention of intestinal diseases.