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The human intestinal microflora

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Abstract

The major host defense mechanisms against bacterial overowth in the small bowel are the normal propulsive activity of the bowel itself and gastric acid secretion. Microbial interactions are a major factor in regulating the indigenous bacterial flora. Studies of the bacterial enzymes of the gut suggest that changes in diet may lead to marked changes in the colonic flora. Antibiotics affect the composition of the colonic microflora. The microflora also influence the degradation of mucin, the conversion of urobilin to urobilinogen, of cholesterol to coprostanol, and the production of short chain fatty acids. Current interests are focused on the bacterial flora of tropical sprue, the role of bacteria in colorectal cancer, and the involvement of intestinal microflora in the enterohepatic circulation of sex steroid hormones.

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  1. Department of Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., #406, 20037, Washington, D.C.

    Gary L. Simon MD, PhD

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  1. Gary L. Simon MD, PhD
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  2. Sherwood L. Gorbach MD
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Contribution from the Department of Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, and The Department of Community Health, Tufts University School of Medicine.

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Simon, G.L., Gorbach, S.L. The human intestinal microflora. Digest Dis Sci 31 (Suppl 9), 147–162 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01295996

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