Probiotics and Prebiotics: Any Role in Menopause-Related Diseases?

Luigi Barrea, Ludovica Verde, Renata Simona Auriemma, Claudia Vetrani, Mauro Cataldi, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Gabriella Pugliese, Elisabetta Camajani, Silvia Savastano, Annamaria Colao, Giovanna Muscogiuri

Journal: Current nutrition reports 2023;12(1):83-97

PMID: 36746877

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the menopause-related changes in microbiota and their role in the pathogenesis of menopause-related diseases. In addition, evidence on probiotic supplementation as a therapeutic strategy is discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

The human microbiota is a complex community that lives in a mutualism relationship with the host. Menopause is associated with dysbiosis, and these changes in the composition of microbiota in different sites (gut, vaginal, and oral microbiota) might play a role in the pathogenesis of menopause-related diseases (i.e., osteoporosis, breast cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, periodontitis, and cardiometabolic diseases). The present review highlights the pivotal role of microbiota in postmenopausal women health, in particular it (a) may increase intestinal calcium absorption thus preventing osteoporosis, (b) is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer and type 1 endometrial hyperplasia, (c) reduces gingival inflammation and menopausal periodontitis, and (d) beneficially affects multiple cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., obesity, inflammation, and blood glucose and lipid metabolism). However, whether oral probiotic supplementation might be used for the treatment of menopause-related dysbiosis requires further clarification.

Address: Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Centro Direzionale, Università Telematica Pegaso, Via Porzio, isola F2, 80143, Naples, Italy.; Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del Paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.; Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del Paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. [email protected].; Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. [email protected].; Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia e Andrologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples, 80131, Italy.; Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del Paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.; Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia e Andrologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples, 80131, Italy.; Section of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.; Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Av. Pdte. Carlos Julio Arosemena Tola, Guayaquil, 090615, Ecuador.; Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166, Rome, Italy.; Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del Paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.; Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia e Andrologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples, 80131, Italy.; Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla salute e allo sviluppo sostenibile", University Federico II, Naples, Italy.

DOI: 10.1007/s13668-023-00462-3

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Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/osteoporosis.html

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-BRIP1-5

MeSH Terms: Female, Humans, Prebiotics, Endometrial Hyperplasia, Dysbiosis, Probiotics, Inflammation, Menopause, Breast Neoplasms, Osteoporosis