J Nutr Health.  2019 Apr;52(2):149-156. 10.4163/jnh.2019.52.2.149.

Dietary effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 isolated from kimchi on skin pH and its related biomarker levels in adult subjects

• Han S
• Shin J
• Lim S
• Ahn HY
• Kim B
• Cho Y

• KMID: 2444938
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2019.52.2.149

Abstract

PURPOSE
The skin pH is maintained by epidermal lactate, free fatty acids (FFAs), and free amino acids (FAAs). As a significant determinant of skin health, the skin pH is increased (less acidic) under abnormal and aged skin conditions. In a search for dietary alternatives that would promote an acidic skin pH, this study investigated the dietary effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 isolated from Korean kimchi on the skin pH, and epidermal levels of lactate, FFAs, and FAAs in adult subjects.
METHODS
Seventy eight subjects (mean age 24.9 ± 0.5 years, range 19 ~ 37 years) were assigned randomly to ingest CJLP55, Lactobacillus strain from kimchi, (n = 39, CJLP group) or placebo supplements (n = 39, placebo group) for 12 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Skin pH and epidermal levels of lactate, FFAs and FFAs were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks.
RESULTS
Although significant decreases in skin pH were observed in both the CJLP and placebo groups at 6 weeks, the skin pH was decreased significantly only in the CJLP group at 12 weeks. In parallel, the epidermal level of lactate in the CJLP group was also increased by 25.6% at 12 weeks. On the other hand, the epidermal level of FAAs were not altered in the CJLP and placebo groups, but the epidermal level of total FFAs, including palmitic acid and stearic acid, was lower in the CJLP group than in the placebo group over 12 weeks. The changes in the other FFAs, such as palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, were similar in the CJLP and placebo groups over 12 weeks.
CONCLUSION
Overall, a dietary supplement of CJLP55 promotes acidic skin pH with a selective increase in epidermal lactate in adult subjects.

Keyword

skin pH; Lactobacillus plantarum; lactate; free amino acid; free fatty acid

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Amino Acids
Dietary Supplements
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Hand
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
Lactic Acid
Lactobacillus plantarum*
Lactobacillus*
Oleic Acid
Palmitic Acid
Skin*
Amino Acids
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Lactic Acid
Oleic Acid
Palmitic Acid

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Altered skin pH in groups. Skin surface pH was measured by skin pH meter. All values are means ± SEM (n = 39 / group). Differences from 0 week within CJLP or Placebo groups were evaluated by Student's paired t-test (∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001). Differences between CJLP and Placebo groups were evaluated by Student's unpaired t-test (# p < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 2 Altered free fatty acid (FFA) levels in the skin surface of groups. Individual FFA was fractionated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, eluted, and further analyzed by gas chromatography after acid methanolysis. All values are mean ± SEM (n = 39 / group). Differences from 0 week within CJLP or Placebo groups were evaluated by paired Student's t-test (∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001). Differences between CJLP and Placebo groups were evaluated by unpaired Student's t-test (# p < 0.05).

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