Ameliorative effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8661 on oleic acid-induced acne: Integrated the gut microbiota link to the acne pathogenesis

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit of the skin that has serious adverse effects on the physical and mental health of patients. Probiotics are extensively employed in dermatology and could be an alternative option for acne therapy. Here, we evaluated the effect of oral ingestion of live and inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8661 on oleic acid-induced acne using a mouse model. Results found that live L. plantarum CCFM8661 suppressed the skin inflammation and serum hormone (insulin and testosterone) production in acne mice. Parallelly, live L. plantarum CCFM8661 effectively reduced the formation of skin lipids (TG and NEFA), and normalized the expression of skin lipid metabolism-related genes (PPRA-γ, SREBP-1c, ACCα, FASN, PPRA-α, ACOX1, HSL and ATGL). In comparison, inactivated L. plantarum CCFM8661 had no effect on skin inflammation or serum hormone secretion, but decreased the skin TG and normalized the expression of skin lipid metabolism-related genes (PPRA-γ, SREBP-1c, FASN and ATGL) in acne mice. Both live and inactivated L. plantarum CCFM8661 raised the richness of gut microbiota, reduced the ratio of Bacteroidetes: Firmicutes, and decreased the relative abundance of Staphylococcus in the feces of acne mice. Oral ingestion of L. plantarum CCFM8661, particularly live cells, could alleviate acne by suppressing skin inflammation, normalizing the metabolism of hormones and skin lipids, which may be achieved by improving the gut microbial ecosystem. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.