An approach on the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of skin conditions: acne and atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Acne and Atopic Dermatitis (AD) are chronic inflammatory skin conditions with severe impact on a patient's life. Current treatments are related to adverse effects and do not represent a definitive cure. The present paper reviews the alterations in skin microbiome, specifically in acne and AD, and aims in searching for potential treatments based on benefic microorganisms, called probiotics. The review was made through bibliographic search of the main databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scielo, Medline) between September 2015 and June 2016. Acne lesions create an environment that facilitates the excess growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). AD is related to an increase in the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) during flare-ups. Some microorganisms have been shown to act not only in the prevention but also in the competition for pathogenic microorganisms and beneficially affect the inflammatory process present in these conditions. Despite the high variety of tested bacteria, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus are the ones which showed the highest potential to control acne, and Vitreoscilla filiformis (V. filiformis), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), and species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the treatment of AD. Many of these studies were in vitro, and more detailed research should be performed in order to prove the real efficacy and safety of probiotics in these situations. An interesting alternative seems to be the use of Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances produced by probiotics, responsible for their antimicrobial activity.

Gut Microbiome Production and Modulation of Hormones That Influence Host Skin Health

“…Leaky gut syndrome has also been commonly comorbid with cystic acne and psoriasis, which have had a long term association with hormonal imbalances (Ceovic et al, 2013), leading many dermatologists and endocrinologist to prescribe oral contraceptives to patients not as a form of birth control, but as an acne treatment. While contraceptives have been effective treatment for many women in combatting cystic acne for decades, recent studies assessing the role of the gut microbiota and skin have shown that the causality of hormonal acne may be much more complex and further, have illuminated that hormonal imbalances that adversely affect the skin, may be improved by restoring balance to the gut through diet and probiotic supplementation (Mottin and Suyenaga, 2018).…”

Novel Rifampicin and Indocyanine Green Co-Loaded Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets Provide Effective In Vivo Photo–Chemo–Probiotic Antimicrobility against Pathogen of Acne Vulgaris Cutibacterium acnes

“…In addition to chemo- (antibiotics) and photo-therapeutics, recently skin probiotics has been recognized as a feasible tool for dermatotic treatment [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Similar with the concept of yogurt-mediated gastrointestinal healthcare, the probiotics employed from the skin commensal microflora or external supplements may be able to maintain the ecological balance of the epidermal microbiome and/or suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes, to grant healthy skin [ 26 ].…”

Soothing Efficacy and Tolerability of a Skin Care Product Containing Live Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bacteria and Berry Seed Oils on Atopic Dermatitis Lesions

“…When administered to AD patients, specific probiotic strains were shown to repair the lipidic skin barrier, restore the cutaneous microflora, and stimulate the skin immune system balance by favouring a Th1 cell response [12] [13] [14].…”

“…Only few studies have explored topical application of probiotics on the altered skin of AD patients [14] [15].…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated the ability of specific commensal bacteria to improve symptoms of AD, although most of the studies have used oral probiotics acting on the gut[14] [16][17]. Application of topical probiotics to modulate the cutaneous microbiota has also been investigated with reportedly beneficial Self-assessment questionnaire responses at week 4.…”