Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access

The vital role of probiotics in radiotherapy

3^rd International Conference and Exhibition on Probiotics, Functional & Baby Foods

September 23-25, 2014 Hotel Royal Continental, Naples, Italy

Sara Khademi and Hamid Abdollhai

Accepted Abstracts: J Prob Health

Abstract :

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits. The use of probiotics to preservation of normal bowel function during radiotherapy has shown promising results. In addition to trophic effects on the gastrointestinal tract, probiotics have much potential include toxin neutralization, antagonistic activity, synergistic activity and stimulation of immune system. Preventive effects on the induction of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, production of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and therefore free radical scavenging underlie those potentials. In regard to these preventive and stimulative effects, we proposed to use probiotics as a feasible and continuous regimen during or after radiotherapy. The radical scavenging and immunostimulation trait of probiotics makes it as an appropriate radioprotectors in radiotherapy. The other important side of this idea is genetic manipulation of probiotics to make them more beneficial as radioprotectors. Genetic improvement of probiotics for developing suitable radioprotectors with lower toxicity, lower side effects, more radical scavenging and more immunostimulatory effects can be done in future to enhance radiotherapy efficiency. The secondary cancer preventive role of probiotics in this area can be important particularly in children and other radiosensitive peoples.