ESSEN, Germany—Mixed results over probiotics’ benefit on atopic dermatitis (AD) are stirring. Studies suggest probiotics stabilize the intestinal barrier function, is involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and decrease gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children with AD. Danisco’s Bi-07™ returned promising results in the original study at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, according to Danisco: “The study shows there may be a role for certain probiotics in the management of atopic dermatitis," commented Arthur Ouwehand, group manager health & nutrition, Danisco. But the results published in the August issue of International Journal Of Probiotics & Prebiotics state: "There were no overall beneficial effects of the probiotic strains on the degree of AD measured by SCORAD index" (2010;5(2):53-60). In a double blind, randomized placebo-controlled intervention study, 50 children (mean age 18 months) with AD received either probiotic strains 1,010 CFU/d of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, 1,010 CFU/d of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis Bi-07 or a placebo for eight weeks.
The immunological activity and clinical effect was evaluated by IgE, ECP, IL-10, IFN-upsilon, IL-31, faecal calprotectin and SCORAD index. However, a post hoc analysis showed a significant reduction in severity of AD in the Bi-07 group and together with the decreasing levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 possible beneficial effects of this probiotic strain could be of interest. There was no effect on inflammatory markers or faecal calprotectin. The significant correlation between ECP and SCORAD index suggest the use of ECP as a measure of the degree of AD in children.
NutraIngredients.com reported researchers are leaning toward the results published in the International Journal of Probiotics & Prebiotics, stating: ““Our results are in agreement with recent published reviews which have not been able to finally establish enough evidence to support the use of probiotics for treatment of AD in children."