Effects of probiotic preparation on metabolic activity of enteric microbiota in children with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the amount and kind of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in faeces of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to show whether the supplementation of children's diet with a probiotic preparation affects SCFA composition. Children were administrated with probiotic preparation during 3 months in daily dose of 5x109 cells or placebo. The faeces samples were analyzed before the administration of probiotics or placebo, after finishing of their in-take, and then 5 months later. SCFA concentration was measured with the use of HPLC method. The average concentration of the lactic and acetic acid before administration of probiotics was 1.11%/g of faeces. It increased at about 20% after finishing the probiotic supplementation, and then at about 5% (5 months later). The concentration of the propionic acid was higher at about 18% after 3 months of probiotic administration, and increased on average at about 15% (5 months later). The butyrate acid was present only in a few samples of faeces, irrespective of the fact whether the children were given the probiotic preparation or placebo, and its concentration was from 0.02%/g to 0.64%/g of faeces. Our study has shown that probiotic administration affects the SCFA concentration, in general lactic, acetic and propionic acids. © 2009 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.