Within the framework of the Top Institute Food & Nutrition (TIFN), researchers led by Prof Kleerebezem of NIZO examined bacterial changes in the human intestine to better understand the impact of probiotics on health.
Their research focused on bacteria in the intestinal mucous membrane of five patients suffering from colon cancer. The patients were given bacteria drinks for eight days before an operation in which part of the intestine was removed to accelerate recovery. For control purposes one patient received a drink without lactic acid bacteria.
The bacteria in the removed piece was then removed and investigated. Changes in the activity of the genes of the lactic acid bacteria in the drinks were examined.
This genetic analysis showed that molecular changes took place, in particular, in the cell walls of the bacteria. The researchers said this is significant because the cell wall plays an important role in communication with the intestinal mucous membrane and the intestinal immune system.
This kind of genetic analysis has been performed on mice but never on humans. According to NIZO, previous research has suggested that lactic acid bacteria in health drinks activate the immune system in the intestine.
The latest research is to be published imminently in the ISME journal.