Dietetic effects of oral intervention with mare’s milk on the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis, on faecal microbiota and on immunological parameters in patients with atopic dermatitis.

This research study involved a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial where patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) were given mare’s milk to drink and observed for changes in their symptom severity, gut microbiota, and certain immune indicators. Findings showed a significant decrease in the severity of atopic dermatitis as well as an increased level of bifidobacteria in certain patients’ feces.

Detailed Explanation of the Research Paper

• Research Design: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, considered the strongest study design. This means neither the participants nor the researchers knew who got the real treatment, and that each participant served as their own control at different points in the study, minimizing the impact of individual variations.
• Participants and Intervention: The trial involved 23 patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD), a type of skin inflammation. Of these patients, 17 were female and 6 were male. Each participant consumed 250 ml of mare’s milk or a placebo equivalent for 16 weeks.
• Outcomes Measured: The primary outcome was the change in AD severity, assessed using the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Changes in faecal microbiota patterns (specifically, the percentage of bifidobacteria in relation to all bacteria, or eubacteria) and various immune system parameters were also measured.
• Main Findings: Notably, the mean SCORAD value for all participants decreased from 30.1 to 25.3 after 12 weeks and to 26.7 after 16 weeks. In a subgroup of 7 patients, the SCORAD index and specifically itchiness decreased by 30% throughout the mare’s milk period. In this same subgroup, the proportion of bifidobacteria, a beneficial gut bacterium, increased from 4.6% to 11.9% of all eubacteria. However, there were no significant changes in immunological parameters, with the exception of C-reactive protein.

Interpretation and Significance of Findings

• Highlights the Role of Diet on Atopic Dermatitis: These findings suggest that mare’s milk may have potential as a dietary intervention for individuals with atopic dermatitis. A reduction in SCORAD values implies that the severity of AD decreased during the periods when participants consumed mare’s milk.
• Connection between Gut Flora and Atopic Dermatitis: The increase in bifidobacteria proportions in a subgroup of patients reinforces the mounting evidence linking gut microbiome health with skin conditions like AD. The rise in beneficial gut bacteria may have contributed to the reduction in AD severity.
• Indicators of Inflammation: The lack of change in most immunological markers, except for C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker), supports the idea that mare’s milk may exert its beneficial effects largely through modulating gut microbiota, rather than altering immune function in general.