Preventive effect of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> and β-glucan on the onset and exacerbation of symptoms of atopic dermatitis in mice

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with an immune response caused by the excessive production of IgE antibodies. This is accompanied by excessive itching as a clinical symptom, leading to a great burden and anxiety in daily life. At present, there is no established treatment that can completely cure AD, and symptomatic treatment alleviates symptoms to the extent that they do not interfere with daily life. Recent research has suggested that the ingestion of either various lactic acid bacteria or β-glucan suppressed the production of IgE antibodies and alleviated the symptoms of AD. Therefore, in this study, we used a drug-induced AD mouse model to evaluate the amelioration effect of EC-12 and β-glucan derived from black yeast to investigate the mechanism involved. The oral administration of lactic acid bacteria inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes at the lesion site, and the administration of β-glucan downregulated serum IgE levels and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes at the lesion site. The concomitant administration of EC-12 and β-glucan strongly suppressed AD symptoms, downregulated serum IgE levels, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines at the lesion site. In summary, the oral administration of EC-12 and β-glucan prevented AD in mice.</p> </abstract>