Novosibirskiy nacional'nyy issledovatel'skiy gosudarstvennyy universitet
This article provides an extensive review of current research on bifidobacteria, a gram-positive genus, anaerobic bacteria that play a fundamental role in maintaining human health. The paper explores the morphology, classification, and functional characteristics of bifidobacteria, focusing on four key species: Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum, B. breve, and B. adolescentis. These bacteria are essential components of the human gut microbiota, contributing significantly to various physiological processes, including digestion, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis. The study highlights the diverse probiotic properties of bifidobacteria, emphasizing their ability to strengthen the intestinal barrier, regulate inflammatory responses, and protect against pathogenic microorganisms. The article also discusses their role in synthesizing essential vitamins and producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which support gut health and systemic metabolic functions. Special attention is given to their immunomodulatory effects, including cytokine stimulation and T-cell modulation, which have implications for treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Recent advancements in molecular biology and next-generation sequencing techniques have significantly improved the identification and classification of bifidobacteria, enabling a deeper understanding of their genetic diversity and functional potential. The article reviews the latest developments in probiotic formulations, focusing on strain-specific properties, bacterial viability, and colonization efficiency. Additionally, the therapeutic applications of bifidobacteria in gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic syndromes, and neurodegenerative diseases are examined, along with emerging evidence of their role in the gut-brain axis and mental health. Furthermore, the paper explores the potential of bifidobacteria-based interventions in oncology, where engineered strains have been investigated for their role in enhancing immunotherapy and targeting tumor cells in hypoxic environments. Their applications in cardiovascular health, obesity management, and vaccine response optimization are also discussed. The study underscores the need for personalized probiotic approaches tailored to individual microbiome compositions to maximize health benefits. Future research directions include expanding clinical trials to validate the medical applications of bifidobacteria, optimizing probiotic formulations for enhanced stability and bioactivity, and further investigating their interactions within the gut ecosystem. As microbiome research continues to evolve, bifidobacteria remain at the forefront of probiotic science, offering promising solutions for improving human health and preventing chronic diseases.
Bifidobacteria, microbiome, probiotics, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, intestinal microflora
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