This independent study was conducted by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark¹ and its purpose was to evaluate the clinical and immunological changes of AD after consumption of Danisco’s probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07^™. The study involved a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention in which fifty children with AD, aged 7-24 months, were given supplements containing either Danisco’s L. acidophilus NCFM^® (10¹⁰ CFU/day), B. lactis Bi-07^™ (10¹⁰ CFU/day) or a placebo for 8 weeks. The immunological activity and clinical effect was evaluated by IgE, ECP, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-31, faecal calprotectin and the standardized Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index.²

Key Findings
Post hoc analysis of the SCORAD results showed a significant reduction in severity of AD in the Bi-07^™ group, together with an improved ratio of IFN-γ and IL-10. The possibility of beneficial immunological effects of this B. lactis Bi-07^™ probiotic strain in young children could be of great interest.

During the study period no adverse effects were reported in this, otherwise sensitive, population of children. This study provides additional evidence that the strains, L. acidophilus NCFM^® and B. lactis Bi-07^™, as well tolerated by the subjects, are safe for consumption by people of all ages, including infants and young children, in the age of 7-24 months.

“The study shows that there may be a role for certain probiotics in the management of atopic dermatitis,” comments Dr. Arthur Ouwehand, Group Manager Health & Nutrition, Danisco.

Highly documented strains
As the world’s leading supplier of probiotics for supplements, nutritionals and food, Danisco is unique in offering a range of clinically-documented, condition-specific formulations. Danisco's HOWARU^® Premium Probiotics represent some of the world’s most extensively studied single strains and blends. Every HOWARU^® formula is backed by gold standard human clinical studies supporting outstanding digestive and immune health benefits. Among these, HOWARU^® Dophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^®, has over 75 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

What is atopic dermatitis (AD)?
According to the ‘hygiene hypothesis,’ advances in healthcare in western civilizations have successfully decreased the number of infections people encounter early in their lives. Unfortunately, however, this may lead to the undesirable development of allergies later in life.³ The ‘atopic march’ refers to the increase in allergic diseases observed in high income societies and suggests that the shift toward a more prosperous lifestyle is a possible environmental cause.⁴

At the same time, the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD), commonly known as eczema, is increasing in the western world. Eczema now affects more than 20% of all children⁵ and is the most prevalent skin disease of children in western societies.⁶ The severe itching of AD can cause emotional stress, skin damage and can seriously affect the quality of life for the child and his/her entire family.⁷ Currently local, anti-inflammatory corticosteroid treatment is recommended for infants and young children with AD. Many parents fear the side effects of steroids and avoid their use — potentially resulting in suboptimal treatment for the afflicted child.⁸ Innovative alternative treatment strategies with probiotics may provide a welcomed alternative approach.

Studies show that individuals with AD have elevated mucosal immunological responses and gastrointestinal inflammation. This impairment of the intestinal mucosal barrier appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Children with AD tend to have an increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa⁹ and this may contribute to intestinal inflammation.¹⁰ Studies also indicate that consumption of dietary supplements or foods containing probiotics can stabilize the intestinal barrier function and decrease gastrointestinal inflammation in children with AD.¹¹

References:

¹ Gøbel R, Larsen N, Mølgaard C, Jakobsen M, Michaelsen KF. 2010. Probiotics to young children with atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics 5(2):53-60.

² Stadler J. 1993. Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis. The SCORAD index. Consensus Report of the European Task Force on Atopic dermatitis. Dermatology 186:23-31.

³ Schaub B, Lauener R, von ME. 2006. The many faces of the hygiene hypothesis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 117:969-977.

⁴ Kalliomaki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E. 2001. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 357:1076-1079.

⁵ Horii KA, Simon SD, Liu DY, Sharma V. 2009. Atopic Dermatitis in Children in the United States, 1997-2004: Visit Trends, Patient and Provider Characteristics, and Prescribing Patterns. Pediatrics 120:e527-e534.

⁶ Gruber C, Wendt M, Sulser C, Lau S, Kulig M, Wahn U, Werfel T, Niggemann B. 2007. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as treatment of atopic dermatitis in infancy. Allergy 62:1270-1276.

⁷ Levy ML. 2007. Atopic dermatitis: understanding the disease and its management. Current Medical Research and Opinion 23:3091-3103.

⁸ Gustafsson D, Sjoberg O, Foucard T. 2000. Development of allergies and asthma in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis-a prospective follow-up to 7 years of age. Allergy 55:240-345 245.

⁹ Rokaite R, Labanauskas L. 2005. Gastrointestinal disorders in children with atopic dermatitis. Medicina (Kaunas) 41:837-845. Baumgart and Dignass, 2002.

¹⁰ Rosenfeldt V, Benfeldt E, Nielsen SD, Michaelsen KF, Jeppesen DL, Valerius NH, Paerregaard A. 2003. Effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains in children with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 111:389-395.

¹¹ Rosenfeldt V, Benfeldt E, Nielsen SD, Michaelsen KF, Jeppesen DL, Valerius NH, Paerregaard A. 2004. Effect of probiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms and small intestinal permeability in children with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Pediatarics 145:612-616.