Effect of oral intake of a Lactococcus lactis strain on skin properties of women —a Pilot Study—

Abstract

A single-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a Lactococcus lactis strain H61 on the skin properties of women. Thirty-nine women volunteers age between 29 and 62 years were randomly assigned to take either a test food (potato starch) mixed with 60mg of heat-killed strain H61 (20 women, H61 group) or a placebo food (potato starch) (19 women, control group) daily for 4 weeks. The skin hydration in inner forearm and at lateral cheek, and texture, elasticity, lightness in cheek was determined at week 0 and 4. Results were analyzed against three age categories (20s-30s, 40s and 50s-60s). Skin hydration in inner forearm at 50s-60s was significantly higher than that at 40s, while hydration in cheek at 50s-60s was significantly higher than that at 20s-30s. Score for skin color at 20s-30s was significantly higher than that at 40s or 50s-60s. Compared to week 0, the skin hydration and score for skin color in cheek significantly increased, at week 4 while texture in cheek significantly decreased. Although none of the H61 treatments affected the parameters, changes in the skin hydration of cheek during experimental period decreased in the control group at 50s-60s, while it increased in the H61 group at 50s-60s. This study indicates that oral intake of strain H61 can improve the skin hydration of aged women. This strain would be useful for a high quality life of the increasing aging population.