Probiotics are gaining immense traction across the human and animal health industries. However, demonstrating their precise mechanism of action (MOA) is crucial for regulatory approval, product differentiation, and consumer confidence. Our service focuses on meticulously analyzing the shifts in the host microbiota induced by probiotic administration in relevant animal models, correlating these changes with observed physiological outcomes. This integrated approach allows for a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the probiotic, the resident microbiota, and the host.
Animal Models
Guidance on selecting the most appropriate animal model (e.g., mice, rats, pigs, poultry, fish) based on your research objectives and the target application (e.g., specific disease models, germ-free models, antibiotic-treated models).
Probiotic Administration
Probiotic Preparation & Delivery: Expertise in handling various probiotic strains (single strains, multi-strain blends) and administering them via diverse routes (oral gavage, feed/water supplementation).
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times vary depending on the complexity of the study, the number of samples, and the "omics" technologies employed. Typically 4-8 months from study initiation to final report. Expedited options may be available upon request.
Probiotics exert their beneficial effects through multiple mechanisms, and many of these mechanisms are closely related to their interactions with the host's microbiota. These include:
Modulation of Microbiota Composition and Diversity
Probiotics can directly influence the abundance and diversity of existing microbial communities, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppressing potential pathogens.
Production of Bioactive Metabolites
Probiotics and the altered microbiota can produce various metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate, acetate, vitamins, antimicrobial compounds) that directly impact host physiology, immune responses, and gut barrier function.
Competitive Exclusion of Pathogens
Probiotics can compete with harmful bacteria for nutrients and adhesion sites on the intestinal lining, thereby preventing colonization and infection.
Enhancement of Gut Barrier Integrity
Probiotics can strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier, reducing gut permeability ("leaky gut") and preventing the translocation of harmful substances into the bloodstream.
Immunomodulation
Probiotics interact with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), influencing both innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to reduced inflammation or enhanced immune function.
Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Gut-Brain Axis Modulation
Emerging research highlights the role of the gut microbiota and probiotics in influencing neurotransmitter production and modulating the gut-brain axis, impacting mood, behavior, and neurological health.
By precisely characterizing changes in microbial communities and their functional output, our microbiota analysis-based MOA studies provide empirical evidence for these proposed mechanisms.
