Figure 2

Prebiotics serve as selective substrates for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting the growth of health-associated species such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Common prebiotics include inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and galactooligosaccharides.

Figure 3

Probiotic mechanisms of action in IBD include strengthening the intestinal epithelial barrier, competing with pathogenic bacteria for adhesion sites, and modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Figure 4

Synbiotics combine probiotics with prebiotics to achieve synergistic effects on gut health. The prebiotic component selectively nourishes the co-administered probiotic strain, potentially enhancing its colonization and metabolic activity.

Figure 5

Clinical evidence for probiotic efficacy in ulcerative colitis is stronger than for Crohn's disease, with certain multi-strain formulations showing benefit in maintaining remission. Strain-specific effects are critical, as not all probiotics demonstrate equivalent therapeutic potential.

Figure 6

Gut microbiota composition in IBD patients is characterized by reduced diversity, decreased Firmicutes abundance, and increased representation of potentially pathogenic Proteobacteria. Probiotic interventions aim to partially normalize these patterns.

Figure 7

Fecal calprotectin and other inflammatory biomarkers may serve as objective measures for monitoring probiotic treatment response in IBD patients. Reductions in these markers correlate with clinical improvement in several studies.