Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2008 Jun;28(2):128-133.

The Immunologic Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lcr35) Supplements in Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have recently been reported as a means of the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, detailed immune mechanisms involved in this effect remain speculative. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lcr35) on symptoms of atopic dermatitis and cytokines production in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs). METHOD: Lcr35 was given to 5 adult patients with mild AD (2 males and 3 females; median SCORAD score, 15.2) for 4 weeks. We examined the SCORAD score and blood samples obtained in the initial, second, fourth and eighth weeks. We observed changes in production of IL-4, IFN-gamma and IL-10 as well as responses to cell proliferation after stimulating PBMCs with Con-A. RESULT: There was no relevant significance in the SCORAD score before and after the treatment. PBMC proliferation was inhibited in the second and fourth weeks and was restored 1 month after the cessation of medication. IL-4 was decreased after the medication and persistently decreased after the cessation. IFN-gamma was increased in the second week but decreased in the fourth week. IL-10 was increased in the second week (P=0.008) and showed variant patterns in the fourth week.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that Lcr35 supplementation appears to modify cytokine production in PBMCs of AD patients. Further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cell Proliferation
Cytokines
Dermatitis, Atopic
Humans
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-4
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Male
Monocytes
Probiotics
Cytokines
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-4