Cited by 618Probiotics and Fermented FoodsGut microbiota and healthInfant Nutrition and Health

Review article: bifidobacteria as probiotic agents – physiological effects and clinical benefits

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PICARD, C., FIORAMONTI, J., FRANCOIS, A., ROBINSON, T., NEANT, F., MATUCHANSKY, C.·2005·Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Abstract

Summary: Bifidobacteria, naturally present in the dominant colonic microbiota, represent up to 25% of the cultivable faecal bacteria in adults and 80% in infants. As probiotic agents, bifidobacteria have been studied for their efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a broad spectrum of animal and/or human gastrointestinal disorders, such as colonic transit disorders, intestinal infections, and colonic adenomas and cancer. The aim of this review is to focus on the gastrointestinal effects of bifidobacteria as probiotic agents in animal models and man. The traditional use of bifidobacteria in fermented dairy products and the GRAS (‘Generally Recognised As Safe’) status of certain strains attest to their safety. Some strains, especially Bifidobacterium animalis strain DN‐173 010 which has long been used in fermented dairy products, show high gastrointestinal survival capacity and exhibit probiotic properties in the colon. Bifidobacteria are able to prevent or alleviate infectious diarrhoea through their effects on the immune system and resistance to colonization by pathogens. There is some experimental evidence that certain bifidobacteria may actually protect the host from carcinogenic activity of intestinal flora. Bifidobacteria may exert protective intestinal actions through various mechanisms, and represent promising advances in the fields of prophylaxis and therapy.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02615.x

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. De Simone C, Ciardi A, Grassi A, et al. Effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut mucosa and peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1992; 14: 331-40.
  2. Chouraqui JP, Van Egroo LD, Fichot MC. Acidified milk formula supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis: impact on infant diarrhea in residential care settings. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2004; 38: 288-92.

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Authors
PICARD, C., FIORAMONTI, J., FRANCOIS, A., ROBINSON, T., NEANT, F., & MATUCHANSKY, C.
Affiliations
  • Danone (France) (FR)
  • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (FR)
  • Hôpital Lariboisière (FR)
Corresponding author
PICARD, C.
Venue
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-09
Volume
22
Issue
6
Pages
495-512
ISSN
  • 0269-2813 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2036
OpenAlex
W2168595823
Cited by
618
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 26
FWCI
2.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
Keywords
Bifidobacterium, probiotics, fermented dairy products, gastrointestinal diseases, infectious diarrhea, immunomodulation, gut microbiota, probiotic safety, GRAS status, gastrointestinal survival
MeSH terms
Adult, Bifidobacterium, Female, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Gastrointestinal Transit, Humans, Infant, Male, Neoplasms, Probiotics, Gastrointestinal Tract, Cell Proliferation

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