Paraprobiotics or immobilized probiotics, are kind of postbiotics which when ingested, may have the ability to exert positive biological responses and restore intestinal homeostasis in a similar manner to probiotics. Paraprobiotics are currently being referred to as modified, inactivated, non-viable, para- or ghost probiotics. Paraprobiotics, the immobilized version of probiotics are gaining traction in recent years due to the concerns about the possibility of low tolerance of probiotics, especially in pediatric populations and in severely ill or immunocompromised patients. Paraprobiotics seem to have similar beneficial properties as live probiotics with fewer of the constraints associated with unstable, diminishing bacteria.
Production of paraprobiotics
Paraprobiotics could be generated using different methods including: Heat-inactivation, Ultraviolet-inactivation, Chemical treatment (e.g. formalin), Gamma-irradiation, and Sonication. In most cases, heat treatment is considered the method of choice for deactivating probiotic strains. The effect that different types of inactivation have on bacterial structure and components as well as the maintenance of probiotic properties requires further research.
Mechanism of action
The mechanisms of action for paraprobiotics is less understood, though the possible mechanisms include immune system regulation and interference with pathogen attachment to host cells. Limited research hypothesizes that immobilized paraprobiotics release key bacterial components, such as lipoteichoic acids, peptidoglycans, or exopolysaccharides which exhibit key immunomodulation effects and antagonizing properties against pathogens.
General paraprobiotics applications
Emerging clinical and pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that paraprobiotics play a role in general health and well-being and for improving host immune function like that of probiotics. It is proved that paraprobiotics induce changes in the gut microbiome and the altered gut microbial composition is associated with increased levels of innate and acquired immunity biomarkers. Paraprobiotics also seem to exhibit antioxidant effects and has indicated its potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Paraprobiotics applications in clinical treatment
Paraprobiotics (mostly heat-killed) seem to be beneficial for the following clinical applications:
- Gastrointestinal diseases; bloating, pediatric disorders, infantile colic, diarrhea, extra-intestinal diseases
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Ocular disorders including eye fatigue
- Asthma
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis)
- Colitis-associated colorectal cancer
- Type 2 Diabetes (improved glycemic parameters)
- Liver injury
- Atopic dermatitis
- Influenza viruses
- Cardiac injury
Species used as paraprobiotics
Many species of bacteria have been identified to have benefits as paraprobiotic strains including:
Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, , Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei , Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri , Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactococcus lactis , Streptococcus salivarius and subsp. thermophilus.
