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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007
December 26, 2007
Probiotics in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis
Summary
This study, by German investigators, was to investigate the effect of probiotics on adults with atopic dermatitis. Thus, a probiotic drink containing the probiotics lactobacillus paracasei, lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis was given to healthy volunteers (15) and patients with atopic dermatitis (15). The probiotic mixture or placebo was given over eight weeks. This was followed by a two week washout period, and then a crossover. At the end of each period, blood and stool samples were collected. The severity of atopic dermatitis was evaluated by SCORAD.
L paracasei and B lactis colonized the colon and were recovered in high numbers, but L acidophilus only increased slightly. The SCORAD decreased by 15.5% (P = 0.081). Lymphocyte subsets were not affected by probiotic administration. CD57, however, increased significantly in healthy adults but was not changed in atopic dermatitis patients. On the other hand, CD4(+) CD54(+) declined significantly in patients with atopic dermatitis, and remained unchanged in healthy adults.
The authors concluded that L paracasei and B lactis were able to transiently colonize the intestine and that the effect of probiotics on the immune system may differ between healthy individuals and those with atopic dermatitis.
Reference
Roessler nee Klein A, et al. The immune system in healthy adults and patients with atopic dermatitis seems to be affected differently by probiotic intervention. Clin Exp Allergy, 2008; 38(1):93-102.
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