Romanian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

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POTENTIAL PHARMACEUTICAL USES OF PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS IN OBESITY MANAGEMENT

ADELA CARAMOCI 1*, MIRELA VASILESCU 2, ADRIANA SARAH NICA 3, MIRELA POP 4, EUGENIA ROSULESCU 2, ANCA MIRELA IONESCU 1

1.Departament of Sports Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2 .Department of Kinetotherapy and Sports Medicine, University of Craiova, Romania
3 .Departament of Rehabilitation, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
4 .Mirmed-Aslan Clinic, Bucharest, Romania

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Although the pathophysiology of obesity is multifactorial, many recent studies have suggested that it implies an alteration of gut microbiota. The mechanisms by which dysbiosis contributes to obesity are numerous and include an increased energy harvest, alteration of intestinal barrier, systemic inflammation and hormonal imbalance. The therapeutic interventions for the improvement of intestinal microflora may promote weight loss and prevent weight gain. Probiotics and prebiotics have been proposed as practical and affordable solutions for reaching this goal. This paper, by reviewing the scientific literature, intends to clarify whether and in what conditions these agents can be used in the management of obesity