Pediatria pre prax 3/2007

NUTRITION, PROBIOTICS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

The interaction between mucosal immune system of gut and its gut microflora together with components of food is the key point for the development of individual immune reactivity. Gut microflora, so called microbiome is highly regulated microbial society which development is positively regulated by breast feeding. Deregulation of gut microbiome is followed by the failure of both mucosal and systemic immunity regulations leading to the development of immunopathology. Gut microbiome is positively modulated by prebiotics and probiotics. It is possible to influence positively the development of IgE mediated allergies by the administration of probiotics prenatally and during early postnatal period of life.

Keywords: mucosal imunity, microbiome, prebiotics, probiotics, allergy.