Heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei GMNL-653 ameliorates human scalp health by regulating scalp microbiome

Abstract

Background The equilibrium of the scalp microbiome is important for maintaining healthy scalp conditions, including sebum secretion, dandruff, and hair growth. Many different strategies to improve scalp health have been reported; however, the effect of postbiotics, such as heat-killed probiotics, on scalp health remains unclear. We examined the beneficial effects of heat-killed probiotics consisting of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, GMNL-653, on scalp health. Results Heat-killed GMNL-653 could co-aggregate with scalp commensal fungi, Malassezia furfur, in vitro, and the GMNL-653-derived lipoteichoic acid inhibited the biofilm formation of M. furfur on Hs68 fibroblast cells. The mRNA of hair follicle growth factors, including insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), vascular endothelial growth factor, IGF-1, and keratinocyte growth factor was up-regulated in skin-related human cell lines Hs68 and HaCaT after treatment with heat-killed GMNL-653. For clinical observations, we recruited 22 volunteer participants to use the shampoo containing the heat-killed GMNL-653 for 5 months and subsequently measured their scalp conditions, including sebum secretion, dandruff formation, and hair growth. We applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the scalp microbiota of M. restricta, M. globosa, Cutibacterium acnes, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A decrease in dandruff and oil secretion and an increase in hair growth in the human scalp were observed after the use of heat-killed GMNL-653-containing shampoo. The increased abundance of M. globosa and the decreased abundance of M. restricta and C. acnes were also observed. We further found that accumulated L. paracasei abundance was positively correlated with M. globosa abundance and negatively correlated with C. acnes abundance. S. epidermidis and C. acnes abundance was negatively correlated with M. globosa abundance and positively correlated with M. restricta. Meanwhile, M. globosa and M. restricta abundances were negatively associated with each other. C. acnes and S. epidermidis abundances were statistically positively correlated with sebum secretion and dandruff, respectively, in our shampoo clinical trial. Conclusion Our study provides a new strategy for human scalp health care using the heat-killed probiotics GMNL-653-containing shampoo. The mechanism may be correlated with the microbiota shift.

Efficacy of probiotics in hair growth and dandruff control: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…For scaling and cleaning perception, these parameters were suppressed by ST11 strain after 4 weeks [ 56 ], while B. lactis exhibited potential benefits only for scaling after 4 weeks [ 57 ]. Tsai's 2023 study [ 49 ] found decreased dandruff and oil secretion and increased hair growth with a heat-killed L. paracasei -containing shampoo.…”

“… Baek 2022, Korea [ 62 ] HDPCs cell Topically treated shaved 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice (5 groups/each group 3 subjects) HDPC proliferation Histological evaluation: skin thickness mRNA hair growth gene expression: - FGF2, FGF7, FGF10 - Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt10b - VEGF A, VEGF B, IGF-1, IGF1-R G1: Control (PBS) G2: 5 % minoxidil G3: 0 mg/mL EF-2001 in acetone + olive oil (3:1) G4: 5 mg/mL EF-2001 G5: 50 mg/mL EF-2001 E. faecalis EF -2001 accelerated the progression of hair regrowth in mice and promoted hair-follicle conversion from telogen to anagen, likely by increasing the expression levels of growth factors (VEGF A, VEGF B, IGF-1, IGF1-R, FGF2, FGF7, FGF10) and marker genes (Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt10b) after 14 days Lee 2022, Korea [ 61 ] HFDPC cell NIH3T3 cell Orally treated shaved 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice (5 groups/each group 6 subjects) HFDPC proliferation Histological evaluation: Hair follicles, skin thickness mRNA hair growth gene expression: VEGF, IGF-1 G1: Negative control G2: Medicinal yeast (200 mg/kg) G3: Lycopus lucidus – LT (100 mg/kg) G4: L. paracasei HY7015 (10 8 CFU) G5: LT + HY7015 (100 mg/kg) Oral administration of G5 promoted hair regrowth as well as hair follicle maturation in the dermal skin of C57BL/6 mice and upregulated VEGF and IGF-1 growth factor levels in mouse serum in 5 weeks Yoon 2022, Korea [ 64 ] HFDPCs cell HFDP Cell Migration and Proliferations mRNA Cisplatin-Induced HFDP Cells gene expression: CCK-8, Bcl-2, Bax, Capcase-3 mRNA hair growth gene expression: Wnt5a, Wnt10b, b-catenin, versican (VCAN), VSC, BAMBI, BMP-2, Lef1 Apoptosis and Induce Division via Control Cell Cycle in HFDP Cells G1: Control G2: Bifidobacterium longum (Bl) G3: B . animalis G4: L. acidophilus G5 : human-scalp-derived- Leuconostoc holzapfelii (hs-Lh) G6: L. plantarum (Lp) G5 (10 10 particles) extracellular vesicles increase cell proliferation, and migration, and regulate the cell cycle G5 modulates the mRNA expression of hair-growth-related genes in vitro , reduces apoptosis by modulating the cell cycle, and promotes hair growth by regulation via the Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway Tsai 2023, Taiwan [ 49 ] …”

“…Liang's 2022 study [ 54 ] reported changes in intestinal microbiota following TCI999 consumption, linking gut health to hair-related outcomes. Additionally, Woo and Tsai's studies [ 47 , 49 ] evaluated adverse events and scalp microbial species changes, providing insights into intervention safety and potential microbial effects. These findings present an exciting opportunity to explore the gut-hair axis and the potential role of probiotics in regulating scalp health and hair-related parameters.…”

“…The scalp harbors a diverse microbial community, and an imbalance in this ecosystem can contribute to dandruff development [ 88 ]. Probiotics, including specific strains of bacteria and fungi, have been found to restore microbial balance by inhibiting the growth of dandruff-causing fungi such as Malassezia [ 11 , 49 , 66 , 68 ]. These beneficial microorganisms produce antimicrobial peptides [ 89 , 90 ] and metabolites [ 66 ] that create an unfavorable environment for the growth and proliferation of dandruff-causing pathogens.…”

“…Recent preclinical studies have shown that both single and multi-strain probiotics can improve hair growth, balance immune responses and gut microbiome in various mouse and cell models related to hair growth and dandruff [ 18 , 47 , 48 ]. Additionally, clinical trials have revealed that taking single and multi-strain probiotics can positively influence the immune and inflammatory responses of patients dealing with hair loss and dandruff problems by regulating the composition of the scalp microbiota [ 49 , 50 ]. However, despite these promising findings, the evidence regarding the effects of probiotics on hair growth and dandruff is still limited and unclear.…”