Supplementation of a dairy drink enriched with milk phospholipids in patients with atopic dermatitis – A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study

Abstract

Reduced epidermal ceramide content may lead to an impaired skin barrier in atopic dermatitis. Plasma concentration of the ceramide precursor sphingomyelin increases after milk-fat consumption due to affected lipoprotein metabolism, although sphingomyelin, a main component of milk phospholipids, might also directly influence plasma sphingomyelin levels. The aim was to determine whether supplementation of a dairy drink with milk phospholipids improves skin parameters and influences plasma lipid profile. In a double-blind cross-over study, 39 patients were randomized into 2 groups and daily received phospholipid milk (3g phospholipids ≙ 0.75g sphingomyelin) or normal whole milk as placebo control for 6 weeks. SCORAD indices, serum immune and plasma lipid parameters were determined. SCORAD indices did not differ between groups following control and phospholipid milk supplementation (control milk: 10.9±5.9 vs. phospholipid milk: 11.7±6.9, P=0.416), but were significantly decreased compared to baseline (baseline: 15.6±8.8, P<0.05). Plasma sphingomyelin proportions were also similar after the treatments (control milk: 27.5±2.3 vs. phospholipid milk: 27.4±2.6% of total phospholipids, P=0.894), but were significantly increased compared to baseline (20.7±2.4% of total phospholipids, P<0.05). Supplementation of a dairy drink with milk phospholipids has no beneficial effect on skin parameters compared to consumption of whole milk in patients with atopic dermatitis. To elucidate an impact of the plasma sphingomyelin proportion on skin conditions, further studies are necessary. Clinical trial ID: Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier no. NCT01326520.