Frontiers in Microbiology (Apr 2024)

Advanced fructo-oligosaccharides improve itching and aberrant epidermal lipid composition in children with atopic dermatitis

  • Sukyung Kim,
  • Bae-Gon Kang,
  • Soonok Sa,
  • Se Young Park,
  • Kyungheon Ryu,
  • Jinyoung Lee,
  • Boram Park,
  • Mijeong Kwon,
  • Yeonghee Kim,
  • Jiwon Kim,
  • Sanghee Shin,
  • Sehun Jang,
  • Byung Eui Kim,
  • Byung Eui Kim,
  • Jaewoong Bae,
  • Kangmo Ahn,
  • Kangmo Ahn,
  • Kwang-Hyeon Liu,
  • Jihyun Kim,
  • Jihyun Kim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1383779
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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IntroductionThe effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been determined.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, children with AD aged 24 months to 17 years received either advanced FOS containing 4.25 g of 1-kestose or a placebo (maltose) for 12 weeks.ResultsThe SCORAD and itching scores were reduced in patients treated with both FOS (all p < 0.01) and maltose (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Sleep disturbance was improved only in the FOS group (p < 0.01). The FOS group revealed a decreased proportion of linoleic acid (18:2) esterified omega-hydroxy-ceramides (EOS-CERs) with amide-linked shorter chain fatty acids (C28 and C30, all p < 0.05), along with an increased proportion of EOS-CERs with longer chain fatty acids (C32, p < 0.01).DiscussionFOS may be beneficial in alleviating itching and sleep disturbance, as well as improving skin barrier function in children with AD.

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