Evaluation of the Synergistic Effects of Mineral and Postbiotics Mixtures in Ameliorating Atopic Dermatitis in the NC/Nga Mouse Model

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition influenced by immune dysregulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mineral-postbiotic (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> VIOAP03 and <i>Lactobacillus fermentum</i> VIMPP04) mixture to alleviate AD symptoms in the NC/Nga mouse model. AD was induced in NC/Nga mice using HDM ointment throughout experiment. After inducing AD skin lesions, mice were orally administered ED mineral powder, postbiotics, and a mixture of ED mineral powder and postbiotics. Key parameters measured included dermatitis score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and scratching behavior. To assess the effects, serum analyses (IgE, histamine, IgG1, IgG2a) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to quantify Th1/Th2 cytokine responses in dorsal skin tissues. Histological analyses (Hematoxylin & Eosin, Toluidine Blue staining) were performed to assess the dermal thickness and the count of mast cells in the dorsal skin tissues. The mixture group exhibited the most significant improvements in dermatitis score, TEWL, and reduced scratching behavior. Histological analyses showed a decrease in mast cells, along with reduced epidermal thickness, in the mixture group compared to the negative control group. Through the mixture group serum analyses and qRT-PCR, inflammatory markers were downregulated compared to the negative control group, while Th1/Th2 cytokine balance shifted towards reduced Th2 dominance. The combined administration of mineral-postbiotics mixture showed synergistic effects in alleviating AD symptoms by modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine responses. These findings highlight the potential of this combination as a novel therapeutic approach for managing atopic dermatitis.