Oral probiotics in women's health: experimental evidence and results from clinical trials
The review presents data from experimental research of the anti-inflammatory activity of Lactobacillus paracasei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, the antitumor activity of L. rhamnosus GG and GR-1, L. gasseri, L. crispatus. The prospect of using probiotics in cancer treatment regimens with the aim to increase the tolerability of treatment was considered. The data confirming the ability of probiotic lactobacilli (L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus) to enhance barrier functions of endometrial epithelial cells in response to human papillomavirus-1 were presented. The perspectives of using microbiota modulation to prevent and/or protect the reproductive system against infection were discussed. The data of clinical trials using multi-strain probiotics containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in women with gestational diabetes were analyzed. A hypothesis on the role of microbiota in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was presented. Research results suggest that the use of probiotics can increase fertility in PCOS. Key words: viral infections, gestational diabetes mellitus, gynecological cancer, oral probiotics, polycystic ovary syndrome, Lactobacillus spp.