Efficacy of a probiotic supplement in patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial long-standing inflammatory skin disease with high incidence worldwide in both adults and children. According to the recognized correlation between intestine-the so-called gut-skin axis-gut unbalances can affect by inducing systemic inflammation triggering dermatological diseases such as AD. Objectives To evaluate efficacy of food supplement containing selected strains probiotics ameliorating AD symptoms conditions adult volunteers. Materials & methods Eighty subjects showing mild-to-severe AD, dryness, desquamation, erythema itching were enrolled randomized controlled trial receive, for 56 days, placebo or mixture lactobacilli (L. plantarum PBS067, L. reuteri PBS072 rhamnosus LRH020). The latter was chosen according patients' production post-biotic metabolites B-group vitamins, anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant capacity anti-microbial activity. Clinical instrumental evaluation performed at T0d, T28d T56d, then T84d (after one-month wash-out). Inflammatory cytokine levels from tape stripping, sampled close lesions T0d also measured. Results Subjects receiving probiotic showed an improvement smoothness, moisturization, self-perception, decrease SCORAD index well markers associated T28d, positive trend up T56d which maintained T84d. Conclusions Administration resulted fast sustained AD-related conditions.