益生元精准化研究进展

Precision Prebiotics: Progress and Trends

益生元在调节肠道菌群方面一直发挥着重要的作用。越来越多的研究数据、临床实验结果和报告表明益生元在预防和干预治疗肠易激综合征、糖尿病、肥胖症等慢性代谢和免疫系统疾病方面均具有有益的效果。纵观精准营养的发展趋势,可以预见益生元将对新兴的微生态健康医疗产业产生重要影响。本文通过回顾益生元最新的研究发现和功能作用范例,着重探讨益生元概念的演变。对益生元生理作用机制的深入认识有助于定义和发展精准营养分支之一的"精准益生元"概念。因此,有必要对益生元的特性、组成和结构进行更深入的研究,进一步探索益生元、细菌种类、特定生理功能三者之间的关系。另外,在细胞生物学分子水平层面上明确益生元的作用机制将有助于定制个性化益生元配方和营养摄入方案,从而促进与保障人类健康。

Prebiotics play a significant role in regulating the intestinal microbiota. Increasing amounts of research data, clinical trial results, and widespread reports have documented the beneficial effects of prebiotics in the prevention and interventional treatment of chronic metabolic and immune diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, and obesity. Taking into consideration of the development trend of precise nutrition, it is foreseeable that prebiotics will have a significant impact on the emerging industry of microbiota （or microecological） health care. This paper reviews the latest research findings and presents a functional paradigm of prebiotic action with focus on the evolving concept of prebiotics. A better understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved can help to define and develop the concept of ‘precision prebiotics’ that represents an outgrowth of precise nutrition. This highlights the necessity of studying the properties, components, and structures of prebiotics and exploring the relationship among prebiotic composition, bacterial species and physiological functions. Moreover, ascertaining the mechanism of action of prebiotics at the molecular level of cell biology will help with personalized prebiotic formulation and nutritional intake plan that enhance and ensure the health of each individual.