The search for functional foods containing probiotics has been growing due to numerous benefits they provide to health, such as modulation of the immune system and of the anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α. However, the mechanisms of actions of the probiotics responsible for this inhibition have not been completely explained so far. A better understanding of the interaction between probiotics and cell signaling pathways related to inflammatory processes shall help to prevent inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, the aim of this revision is to help understand the mechanisms of action of probiotics in cell signaling pathways that regulate TNF-α expression. Probiotics might act at different points of the MAPK pathway, on NF-kB, on proteasome activity, on Toll-like receptors, and on their regulators and stimuli. The present revision reaches the conclusion that probiotics act through multiple mechanisms, especially by inhibiting IkB phosphorylation and degradation, thus preventing the translocation of NF-kB. Effects are also shown to be strain-specific, and probiotics of the genus Lactobacillus are proved to play and essential role in anti-inflammatory activity.

对含有益生菌的功能性食品的研究一直在增长，因为它们为健康提供了许多益处，例如通过抑制促炎细胞因子（如 TNF-α）的释放来调节免疫系统和抗炎活性。然而，迄今为止，尚未完全解释导致这种抑制的益生菌的作用机制。更好地了解益生菌和与炎症过程相关的细胞信号通路之间的相互作用将有助于预防炎症性肠病。因此，本次修订的目的是帮助理解益生菌在调节 TNF-α 表达的细胞信号通路中的作用机制。益生菌可能在 MAPK 通路的不同点、NF-kB、蛋白酶体活性、Toll 样受体，以及它们的调节剂和刺激物。本修订版得出的结论是，益生菌通过多种机制发挥作用，尤其是通过抑制 IkB 磷酸化和降解，从而阻止 NF-kB 的易位。效果也被证明是菌株特异性的，并且乳酸杆菌属的益生菌被证明在抗炎活性中起重要作用。