Postbiotic may boost skin hydration from within: RCT

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Oral consumption of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L-137 may improve moisture in the skin and help people with dry skin, says a new study from Japan.

Data published in Frontiers of Medicine indicated that 12 weeks of consuming the heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) could improve skin measures for all those who received the supplement, with benefits also observed for older participants and those with dry skin.

“In addition, intake of HK L-137 improved satisfaction with the condition of the skin and health-related QOL [quality of life]. Our results suggest that HK L-137 may be useful for preventing and treating dry skin-related disorders,” wrote scientists from House Wellness Foods, which funded the study. HK L-137 is the primary ingredient in House Wellness Foods’ Immuno-LP20.

The potential benefits of HK L-137, was originally isolated from a fermented Southeast Asian dish made from fish and rice, may be linked to its ability to enhance production of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid or HA), which could improve skin barrier function and lead to greater water retention in the skin.

Study details

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study included 20 healthy men and 60 healthy women aged between 35 and 54 (mean age = 47 years) with dry skin issues. The volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a daily HK L-137 supplement (10 mg of HK L-137) or placebo.

Over 12 weeks of study, the HK L-137 group had less facial transepidermal water loss (TEWL), said the researchers.  

Moreover, when the researchers focused on participants in the HK L-137 group who were above the median age or had relatively dry skin, the data showed that HK L-137 led to significantly greater skin water content and TEWL.

The researchers also reported that total scores the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a clinical standard, and a self-evaluation, increased significantly in the postbiotic group.

Mechanism(s) of action

Commenting on the potential mechanism of action, the Japan-based scientists stated that the effects are likely linked to the ingredient’s positive effects on the epidermal barrier by strengthening the intestinal barrier, along with enhanced production of HA.

Previous data from mice supported the postbiotic’s ability to enhance skin moisture, while in vitro data has showed that HK L-137 may upregulate expression of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and HA production from primary epidermal cell cultures. Both these results suggest that “HK L-137 might augment HA synthesis in this study”, said the researchers.

“These results suggest that administration of HK L-137 could augment the skin barrier and improve dry skin in healthy adults, especially in older people or people with dry skin, and thereby improve their satisfaction with their current skin condition and health-related QOL], although the clinical relevance is needed to clarify because of the low DLQI [Dermatology Life Quality Index] scores at baseline,” they concluded.

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Source: Frontiers in Medicine

Published online, doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.912280

“Beneficial Effect of Heat-Killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L-137 on Skin Functions in Healthy Participants: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study”

Authors: R. Yoshitake et al.