Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effect of Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 on skin reactivity

Abstract

In recent decades, the prevalence of subjects with reactive skin has considerably increased in industrialised countries. 50% of women and 30% of men report cutaneous discomfort classified under reactive/sensitive skin. Several topical approaches have been proposed, in particular through improvement of galenic forms or protection of epidermal surface. We propose to act differently, deeply from inside the body via an innovative nutritional approach. To this purpose, Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 (ST11) was selected because of its specific beneficial skin properties discovered in in vitro studies, i.e. diminution of neurogenic inflammation and promotion of the recovery of skin barrier function. We designed a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study with a two-month supplementation in two female treatment groups (n=32 per group). A capsaicin test was performed to monitor the time course of skin sensitivity. Moreover, transepidermal water loss was assessed to analyse the rate of skin barrier function recovery; dryness of the leg and roughness of the cheeks was investigated by a dermatologist as well as by self-assessment. The results of the present clinical trial show that oral supplementation with the probiotic decreases skin sensitivity and increases the rate of barrier function recovery. Thus, the data provide evidence that daily intake of ST11 could improve reactive skin condition.

<b><i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i></b>: A Potential New Player in the Physiopathology of Acne?

“…These observations raise hope that the right kind of bacteria may have beneficial effects on the skin homoeostasis, skin inflammation, and peripheral tissue responses to perceived stress. Other studies conducted in humans confirmed this hypothesis [76-78]. Thus, probiotics may be efficient in acne and other inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and potentially psoriasis [79-83].…”

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938—A comparative study on the effect of probiotics and lysates on human skin

“…In most cases, due to formulation challenges, much research has been performed using probiotic lysates (postbiotics) (mechanical, chemical or heat‐killed bacteria) with positive results . However now, with more data and information available on how bacteria can influence the skin in health and disease, there has been increased research activities on topical live products particularly in the areas of sensitive skin and more complex skin disorders such as acne and atopic dermatitis (AD) …”

“…Thus, collectively the effect of pro‐ and postbiotics of L. reuteri DSM 17938 could be considered as complementary in terms of skin barrier improvement. Previous clinical studies demonstrated that the combined application of L. paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum lysate is effective for treating “sensitive skin” such as dry/irritated skin, while another study reported increased barrier resistance, reduced skin sensitivity and dryness in patients with reactive skin by the topical treatment of B. longum lysate . Thus, the live and lysate product of L reuteri DSM 17938 could be further evaluated for treatment of sensitive/irritated skin and dehydrated skin condition.…”

The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging

“…Oral ingestion of certain probiotic strains has been shown to improve the skin barrier and affect skin hydration and transepidermal water loss. Gueniche et al (2014) studied the effects of oral supplementation with L. paracasei NCC2461 versus placebo for healthy female volunteers via a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. A capsaicin test was used to monitor skin sensitivity, while transepidermal water loss and dermatological assessments were utilized to measure skin barrier function.…”