Skin Health: Microbiota Plays Key Role in Acne Development
07 Apr 2017 --- Researchers have found that the overall balance of the bacteria on a person’s skin, rather than the presence or absence of a particular bacterial strain, appears to be an important factor for acne development and skin health. The research team used over-the-counter pore cleansing strips to obtain skin follicle samples and were able to detect the subtle differences in skin bacteria composition from those with, and without, acne. The study provides new insights into the microbial mechanisms behind acne development and suggests that targeted treatments to modulate the skin microbiota and maintain a healthy bacterial balance may be preferable over antibiotic usage, which can unselectively kill both harmful and beneficial skin bacteria. These treatments could include probiotic supplementation or phage therapy that selectively targets specific bacterial strains. Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects 80%–85% of people at some point in their lives. While acne is a disease of hair follicles on the skin, the exact causes of the condition are unclear. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes has long been associated with acne, but with P. acnes being the most prevalent and abundant species in the follicle in both healthy and acned individuals, its role in acne has not been well understood. Researchers, led by Dr Huiying Li, an associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, used over-the-counter pore cleansing strips to obtain skin follicle samples from 72 individuals: 38 with acne and 34 who didn’t have the disease. The team then used a technique called DNA shotgun sequencing analysis to identify and compare the make-up of the skin microbiome of the two groups, and further validated the findings in an additional 10 individuals. The researchers were able to detect differences in skin bacteria composition, pinpointing fine genetic differences between the P. acnes strains of the two clinical groups. In the healthy group, the bacterial community was enriched with genes related to bacterial metabolism, which are thought to be important in preventing harmful bacteria from colonizing the skin. In contrast, the acne group contained higher levels of virulence-associated genes, including those relating to the production and transport of pro-inflammatory compounds such as bacterial toxins that are potentially harmful to the skin. Based on the profiles of these genomic elements, the team was able to predict the health status of the individuals with high accuracy. “This study suggests that the make-up of the bacteria in the follicles can reflect, as well as influence, the skin condition in acne or healthy skin," Dr Li said of the research. The researchers presented their findings at the Microbiology Society’s Annual Conference held from Monday 3 April to Thursday 6 April. “Understanding the bacterial community on the skin is important for the development of personalized treatments in acne. Instead of killing all bacteria, including the beneficial ones, we should focus on shifting the balance toward a healthy microbiota by targeting harmful bacteria or enriching beneficial bacteria,” said Dr Emma Barnard, a researcher in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com
Related ArticlesHealth & Nutrition News Symprove multi-strain supplement linked to re-balancing of gut microbiome20 Nov 2018 --- “Good” bacteria in the live probiotic Symprove can successfully reach and colonize the gut, where they can modify existing gut flora, according to new research published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Researchers also noted that these bacteria are capable of modifying the immune response in the human body. Health & Nutrition News Gluten-free diet health benefits actually down to change in dietary fiber sources, study finds19 Nov 2018 --- Following a gluten-free diet can lead to a reduction of intestinal discomfort, such as bloating, but this may be due to a change in dietary fiber composition, suggest Danish researchers. The University of Copenhagen study notes that the healthy, gluten-free diets in their study required a shift of fiber sources from wheat and rye to vegetables, brown rice, corn, oat and quinoa, and that certain health improvements were down to these sources – not the absence of gluten. Health & Nutrition News Navigating the digestive health space: Probiotic strain specificity and microbiome key to future NPD16 Nov 2018 --- Emerging science linking a healthy microbiome to nearly every facet of health, as well as the ongoing media reporting on probiotics, have helped drive consumer interest in gut health. This growing area offers a wealth of opportunities to formulators, but due to regulatory demands and increasing consumer scrutiny, a clear view of how to navigate this space is vital. Health & Nutrition News Cranberries found to reduce negative effects of animal-based diet on gut health15 Nov 2018 --- A Cranberry Institute and USDA-funded study into the potential protective effects of cranberries on the gut microbiome has found that adding cranberries to a meat-based diet can reduce the rise in secondary gut bile acids that have been associated with colon and GI cancer. The feeding trial – published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry – found that the addition of whole cranberry powder to this common diet lessened potentially carcinogenic secondary bile acids and blunted the decline in beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Health & Nutrition News Beef extract obtained from cooking process may boost exercise performance, mice study finds13 Nov 2018 --- An extract obtained by cooking beef could improve exercise performance and lessen post-exercise fatigue, a mice study published in Nutrients has found. The study sought to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of beef extract on exercise performance, as well as the related role of the gut microbiota. Although the extract was found to improve exercise performance by preserving muscle glycogen, it was independent of any relationship with the gut microbiota. More Articles |
