Postbiotic Metabolite Delivery refers to the intentional administration of functional compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), organic acids, or bacteriocins, which are the non-viable microbial cell components and metabolic byproducts secreted by probiotic microorganisms. This strategy bypasses the need for live bacterial colonization, offering a direct route to confer health benefits to the host, including anti-inflammatory effects and gut barrier support. Delivery systems are engineered to ensure the stable and targeted release of these active molecules to the intestinal lumen or systemic circulation.
Origin
This term is a recent evolution in the field of gut health, following the concepts of prebiotics and probiotics, combining postbiotic (derived after the life of the microorganism), metabolite (a product of metabolism), and delivery (the act of transporting a substance). Its emergence is based on the scientific evidence that many of the systemic benefits attributed to probiotics are actually mediated by these secreted, non-living metabolic end-products. This approach emphasizes functional output over microbial presence.
Mechanism
Delivery operates by introducing concentrated, bioavailable metabolites that directly interact with host cells, including colonocytes, immune cells, and endocrine cells. For instance, delivered SCFAs, such as butyrate, serve as a primary energy source for colonocytes and act as signaling molecules by binding to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). This direct molecular action strengthens the intestinal barrier, reduces inflammation, and influences hormonal signaling pathways, offering a precise, dose-dependent therapeutic effect.
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