Oral mucositis is an acute side effect of radiation therapy that is especially common with head and neck cancer treatment. In recent years, several studies have revealed the predisposing factors for mucositis, leading to the pre-treatment of patients to deter the development of opportunistic oral fungal infections.
The microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms living in the gut of human beings. Microbiome has a critical role in the human health. However, a greater consumption of processed carbohydrates, fats, meats, preservatives can alter the human microbiome. Moreover, overuse of antibiotic destroys both healthy and pathogenic bacteria.
Human gut microbiota and intestinal health are strongly interconnected, and they may lead to chronic systemic health diseases. Imbalances of gut microbiota caused by the poor diet, antibiotic use, and stress, along with other environmental factors and lifestyle can cause bowel irregularities and intestinal inflammation. Bacteriophages or phages are viruses that exploit the reproductive machinery of bacteria for their biological cycle.
Our research focuses on testing the application of bacteriophages therapy because it promise to become an effective therapeutic option for bacterial infections. Since many potentially beneficial bacteriophages can be found in food, supplements containing bacteriophages could be designed to remodel gut microbiota and eliminate pathogenic bacteria. Because of their qualities, bacteriophages are considered beneficial component of probiotics that target the pathogenic bacteria and support the natural human microbiota.
Click for the link PubMed:
“Breakdown of Symbiosis in Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis”;
“Bacteriophages presence in nature and their role in the natural selection of bacterial populations“;
“Naturally-occurring and cultured bacteriophages in human therapy”.
*“None of the reported studies or the patent can be used to claim the properties of dietary supplements. Dietary supplements do not possess any therapeutic or preventive properties.”