Background: The inhibitory effect of probiotic bacteria on atopic dermatitis has been shown in human infants, but the mechanism is still unclear.
Objective: This study aimed to show the effects of the administration of a probiotic during the weaning period in mouse models on production of the intestinal secretory IgA (sIgA) and on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) in later life.
Methods: The effects of the administration of Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC533 (La1) during weaning were evaluated using a mouse model (Balb/c). The weaning period of mice was divided into three phases according to the evolution of faecal IgA. La1 was administered in each phase and the evolution of the faecal IgA was estimated. In the next experiment, the effect of the administration of La1 in phase 2 on host immunity after maturation was further assessed by using the model NC/Nga mouse for human AD.
Results: Administration of La1 in each phase showed a distinct effect on the production of sIgA. But sIgA production was only positively stimulated when La1 was administrated in phase 2. The development of AD induced by mite antigen from 6 weeks old was significantly prevented by the primary administration of La1 in phase 2. AD-like lesions were significantly milder than those of the control mice, and histological observations showed an almost normal appearance of the epidermis and upper dermis of the mice treated with La1.
Conclusion: This study suggested that the primary administration of La1 in a specific part of the weaning period is effective in preventing or inhibiting the development of AD after maturation by modulating or accelerating the gut immune response.