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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Can probiotics change skin protein in dogs with atopic dermatitis

By Marsella, Rosanna et al.·Published in Veterinary Dermatology·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences University of Florida Gainesville FL USA, United States·View original on Crossref

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Original publication title: Investigation of the effect of probiotic exposure on filaggrin expression in an experimental model of canine atopic dermatitis

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A group of atopic (allergic) beagles was studied to see if giving them probiotics could help improve their skin condition by increasing a protein called filaggrin, which is important for skin health. The dogs were exposed to a common allergen over three days, and skin samples were taken at different times to measure filaggrin levels. Unfortunately, the results showed that probiotics did not change the filaggrin levels in the allergic dogs compared to those that did not receive probiotics. This suggests that probiotics may not be effective in improving skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

People also search for: dog skin allergies treatment · probiotics for dog skin problems · beagle atopic dermatitis care

Abstract

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) results from complex interactions between an impaired skin barrier and immunological stimulation. Filaggrin is a key protein for the skin barrier, and its expression is decreased in subsets of atopic dogs and can be modified by inflammation; thus, immunomodulatory approaches may alter its expression. Probiotics have been explored for the prevention and treatment of allergies, owing to their immunomodulatory properties; however, it is currently unknown whether they can modulate filaggrin expression.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether probiotics can modulate filaggrin expression in an experimental model of canineAD.Animals and methodsEighteen atopic (11 probiotic exposed and seven control) and five normal beagles were challenged for three consecutive days withDermatophagoides farinae. Skin biopsies were taken before (day 0), at the peak (day 3) and after the end of the allergen challenge (day 10). Immunohistochemistry for filaggrin was done using a polyclonal antibody specific for canine filaggrin, and staining was scored both subjectively (for intensity, granularity and continuity) and objectively, by tracing the stratum granulosum and calculating the percentage of filaggrin per unit traced area.ResultsAnalysis of variance of the percentage of filaggrin in the stratum granulosum showed a significant effect of group (P = 0.0414,AD < normal), time (P = 0.0066, days 3 and 10 > day 0) and marginal group × time interaction (P = 0.0606). Within the atopic group, exposure to probiotics did not change filaggrin expression. No significant differences were found in the subjective scores among groups.Conclusions and clinical importanceIt is concluded that probiotic exposure early in life does not alter filaggrin expression in thisADmodel.

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Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12006