ABSTRACT
Gastric ulcer is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal diseases that characterized by a meaningful reduction in the mucosal barrier. Gastric ulcer exact mechanisms are unclear yet; the infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the long-term uses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are main aspects that was reported to induce the development of gastric ulcer. Helicobacter pylori, a commonly known Gram-negative human gastric pathogen, plays an important etiologic role in gastric diseases particularly peptic and gastric ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma and to little extent, lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Gastric acid inhibitors with antibiotics (triple-therapy) are generally used in gastric ulcer treatment. However, in the last few decades, the emergencies of antibiotic resistance bacteria and the adverse effects of antibiotics and acid inhibitors consumptions remains a major challenge in gastric ulcer treatment. Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces, have been recommended recently as adjuncts to triple-therapy H. pylori and gastric ulcer treatments. In this respect, probiotics exhibit antagonistic activities against H. pylori and hence have great treating potentiality of infections caused by this microbe. Moreover, probiotics could improve the host defense mechanism. Therefore, the current chapter will explain the possible interaction between probiotics with bacterial pathogen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumptions and the host immune system
