مقالات پذیرفته شده در هشتمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Probiotics as a Viable Substitute for Antibiotics in Combatting Infectious Diseases: A Molecular Perspective
Probiotics as a Viable Substitute for Antibiotics in Combatting Infectious Diseases: A Molecular Perspective
Pouria Khodaei Ataloo,1,*
1. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Introduction: With the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies to combat infectious diseases. Probiotics, live microorganisms with beneficial health effects, have emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotics. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of probiotics in modulating mRNA expression of immune-related genes and combating infectious diseases, providing novel insights into their therapeutic potential.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 150 participants diagnosed with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Participants were divided into two groups: the probiotic group (n=75) received a daily probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum for 12 weeks, while the control group (n=75) received standard antibiotic treatment. Urine samples were collected at baseline and post-intervention to quantify mRNA expression levels of immune-related genes, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), using quantitative real-time PCR.
Results: The demographic characteristics of both groups were comparable at baseline. Participants in the probiotic group showed a significant reduction in UTI recurrence rates compared to the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly downregulated in the probiotic group following the intervention (IL-6: mean mRNA copies from 1200 to 600, p<0.001; TNF-α: mean mRNA copies from 1000 to 400, p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the efficacy of probiotics in modulating mRNA expression of immune-related genes and reducing UTI recurrence rates. By targeting inflammatory pathways, probiotics offer a promising therapeutic approach for combating infectious diseases while mitigating the risk of antibiotic resistance. These findings support the incorporation of probiotics into clinical practice as a viable substitute for antibiotics in the management of infectious diseases.