• The effect of antibiotic use on the gut microbiota
  • Romina pourshadman,1,* zahra shirgirkar,2 kasra moadab nokhodchari,3
    1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
    2. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
    3. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.


  • Introduction: The human gut is a complex ecosystem and plays a key role in human health, metabolism, and immunity. The microbiome plays an important role in both the innate and adaptive immune systems of the host. The gut flora and its metabolites, either directly or indirectly, play a role in pulmonary diseases. Recently, probiotics have shown a significant role in regulating gut flora and boosting the immune system. Any alteration in the host’s gut microbiota can increase susceptibility to various disease phenotypes such as intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders. The gut microbiota converts dietary nutrients into metabolites that act as bioactive molecules, helping regulate bodily functions. Probiotics have various applications in immune diseases, including enhancing the immune system, modulating the gut microbiota, and reducing symptoms of various diseases. Reports have indicated that during various illnesses, changes in the gut microbiota have been observed, and the positive effects of certain probiotics have been suggested. Observations have shown that probiotics can be combined with conventional medications for conditions like insulin resistance, inflammatory diseases, and mental disorders.In addition to their synergistic effects, probiotics can also influence drug metabolism. The effects of antibiotics on the stability and balance of the gut microbiota are concerning community and lead to alterations in host health. Antibiotics may cause irreversible damage to the gut microbiome. Changes in the gut microbial community under antibiotic treatment can be associated with several factors, including the host’s age, lifestyle, genetic susceptibility, and the duration of treatment. In this study, we studied the effect of antibiotic use on the gut microbiota.
  • Methods: In this review study, a total of 10 reputable scientific articles published between 2012-2024 were used. The selected sources focus on the impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome and strategies to reduce their negative effects. The articles were retrieved from scientific databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar. The selection criteria for these sources include recency, scientific credibility, and a focus on effective interventions such as probiotics, as well as references to clinical studies.
  • Results: Treatment with antibiotics, whether through long-term or short-term administration, can have widespread effects on the natural gut microbiota. The use of antibiotics has led to the elimination of bacterial infections in animals, especially in humans. However, the overuse of antibiotics is one of the primary and critical factors contributing to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. The functions of the gut microbiota in the host’s body include the enhancement of protective immune responses. According to recent studies, there is evidence suggesting that antibiotic treatment reduces microbial diversity, leading to metabolic alterations, reduced secretion of antimicrobial peptides, increased susceptibility, and an increased presence of pathogenic factors. It also leads to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, all of which are associated with antibiotic resistance. Reports indicate that various antibiotics are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Physicians prescribe specific and targeted therapies for different conditions. If antibiotic treatment fails to resolve the issue, there is a risk of developing gut symbiosis, a microbial imbalance. Returning the gut microbiota to a balanced state is essential. Since the gut microbiome is a complex ecological network of microorganisms, the effects of antibiotics can vary and have a significant impact on the outcome of the microbiome both during and after antibiotic exposure.
  • Conclusion: Due to the adverse effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota. To reduce the negative effects of these types of drugs, several strategies have been recommended. Co-administration of probiotics, Rational and limited use of antibiotics-considering the duration, type, and dosage.
  • Keywords: Gut microbiota, Antibiotics, Microbiome dysbiosis, Immune system, probiotics, Gut