Efficacy of prolonged ingestion of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 in adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

2016-07
Journal of Dairy Science 99(7)
- Kozo Yamamoto
- K. Yokoyama
- Takehisa Matsukawa
- Sayaka Kato
- S. Kato
- Kazuhisa Yamada
- Tatsuhiko Hirota

PubMed: 27108169
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10605

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 50
Population: Adult atopic dermatitis patients
Methods: Placebo-controlled double-blinded parallel-group comparison study

Rigorous Journal

Abstract

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prolonged ingestion of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 (L-92) on skin symptoms in adult atopic dermatitis (AD) patients, a placebo-controlled double-blinded parallel-group comparison study was performed. This included daily administration of heat-killed and dried L-92 or placebo for 24wk in 50 AD patients who were 16yr old or older. The severity of skin symptoms was evaluated at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24wk during the intervention using the investigator global assessment, eczema area and severity index, and scoring atopic dermatitis. Serum cytokine and blood marker levels were also measured at baseline and at 4, 8, 16, and 24wk during the intervention. No adverse events were reported during the study period. Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in investigator global assessment, eczema area and severity index, and scoring atopic dermatitis. Subjective symptoms in adult AD patients were reduced by intake of L-92. Furthermore, it was suggested that sustained ingestion of L-92 resulted in suppression of scratching behavior and maintenance of remission status of skin symptoms. Sixteen weeks after the study commenced, a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase and a significant increase in transforming growth factor-β were observed in the L-92 group compared with the placebo group. In the L-92 group, a significant elevation of IL-12 (p70) level at the end of treatment period compared with before the treatment was observed. This study suggested that L-92 suppresses type-2-helper-T-cell-dominant inflammation by activating regulatory T cells and type 1 helper T cells.

Keywords: Lactobacillus acidophilus; allergy; atopic dermatitis; placebo-controlled double-blinded parallel-group comparison study.

Research Insights

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Improved Atopic Dermatitis Severity
Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in investigator global assessment, eczema area and severity index, and scoring atopic dermatitis.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Improved Immune Function
This study suggested that L-92 suppresses type-2-helper-T-cell-dominant inflammation by activating regulatory T cells and type 1 helper T cells.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Increased IL-12 Levels
In the L-92 group, a significant elevation of IL-12 (p70) level at the end of treatment period compared with before the treatment was observed.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Increased Transforming Growth Factor-β Levels
Sixteen weeks after the study commenced, a significant increase in transforming growth factor-β was observed in the L-92 group compared with the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Maintained Remission of Skin Symptoms
it was suggested that sustained ingestion of L-92 resulted in suppression of scratching behavior and maintenance of remission status of skin symptoms.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Atopic Dermatitis Severity
Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in investigator global assessment, eczema area and severity index, and scoring atopic dermatitis.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Atopic Dermatitis Severity Score
Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in ... scoring atopic dermatitis
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Eczema Area and Severity Index
Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in ... eczema area and severity index
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Investigator Global Assessment
Compared with the placebo group, the L-92 group showed significant decreases in investigator global assessment
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Lactate Dehydrogenase Level
Sixteen weeks after the study commenced, a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase ... was observed in the L-92 group compared with the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Scratching Behavior
it was suggested that sustained ingestion of L-92 resulted in suppression of scratching behavior and maintenance of remission status of skin symptoms.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Scratching Frequency
It was suggested that sustained ingestion of L-92 resulted in suppression of scratching behavior and maintenance of remission status of skin symptoms.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
heat-killed and dried L-92 daily

Adverse Events Reported

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Overall tolerability
No adverse events were reported during the study period.
Finding
Reported