Sponsored by
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Friday, October 24
10-10:50am
Location: Casanova 603
Probiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Evidence that Probiotics Improve Symptoms
Probiotics for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are
a group of specific non-pathogenic bacteria that are functionally and
genetically defined by their ability to reduce inflammation in the
intestine. While probiotics also appear to have broad beneficial effects
in humans, both as a food and as a therapeutic agent, there are specific
identified mechanisms in some, but not all, of these bacteria that are
relatively important to the pathogenesis of IBD. Recently, studies
relative to the mechanism of action of probiotics have identified that
these organisms can have a direct effect on epithelial cell function and
intestinal health, including enhancing epithelial barrier function,
modulating epithelial cytokine secretion into an anti-inflammatory
dominant profile, altering mucus production, changing bacterial luminal
flora, modifying the innate and systemic immune system and inducing
regulatory T-cell effects. The role of probiotics for the clinical
treatment of IBD is emerging as the mechanisms and pathogenesis is being
unraveled. It remains clear that probiotics are able to reduce
gastrointestinal inflammation by exerting positive effects on epithelial
cell and mucosal immune dysfunction.
Speaker:
 Richard N. Fedorak, M.D., is professor of
medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of
Alberta in Edmonton, and is currently chairman, Centre of Excellence for
Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research (CEGIIR) and
director, Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre (NACTRC).
Dr. Fedorak received his medical degree with First Class Honours from
the University of Alberta, Edmonton. His postdoctoral training included
an internship at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario,
and residency training in General Internal Medicine at the University of
Toronto. His Gastroenterology Clinical and Research Fellowship training
was carried out at the University of Chicago, Chicago and Columbia
University, New York. In 1987, Dr. Fedorak returned to the University of
Alberta as an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Clinical
Investigator. A recipient of numerous awards, research fellowships and
grants, Dr. Fedorak is a recognized expert in inflammatory bowel
disease. He has an active basic gastrointestinal research laboratory in
the area of mucosal immunology, inflammation, and membrane function and
structure. In addition, he leads a large gastrointestinal and liver
disease clinical research group, and has published over 350
peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, produced two patents on
colonic-specific drug delivery, and has lectured around the world. Dr.
Fedorak has served as president of the Canadian Association of
Gastroenterology, president of the University of Alberta Hospital
Medical Staff, president of the Alberta Society of Gastroenterology,
president of the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2005 Bid Federation,
General Secretary of the 1999 Pan American Congress of Gastroenterology
and president of the 2005 World Congress of Gastroenterology.
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