PROGRESS IN NUTRITION, cilt.25, sa.2, ss.1-13, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Abstract. Background: Recently, some new generation therapeutic applications that can be used as an alternative to routine pharmacological agents in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) have emerged. These
applications are using of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Objective: In
this review, these therapeutic applications, which have the potential to be used as an alternative to pharmacological agents in the treatment of UC will be investigated. Results: Probiotic supplements are aimed increasing
the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microbiota composition, prebiotic supplements support the
development of probiotics, and synbiotic supplements combine the positive metabolic effects of both prebiotic and probiotic supplements. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is used to correct dysbiosis in UC.
In studies in the literature, we observed that all these applications generally mediate the improvement of the
clinical remission levels of patients with UC, strengthening of the intestinal barrier mechanism, changing of
the metabolic parameters of the inflammation picture positively, and the attainment of a healthier composition of the intestinal microflora. Conclusions: Alternative therapeutic applications used in the treatment of UC
have been shown to have positive metabolic results on the clinical course of the disease. However, because
there is no scientific consensus on the form, duration and content of such applications, further comprehensive
studies should be conducted on the subject. Thus, the potential of using probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic supplements and FMT as an alternative therapeutic application in the treatment of UC will be revealed more clearly.
Key words: Ulcerative colitis, probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, fecal microbiota transplantation