Probiotic bacteria for the topical treatment of skin disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to a probiotic bacteria, and/or soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with Tight Junction function, characterised in that the probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria is formulated for topical administration.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a disorder associated with Tight Junction function, said method comprising topical administration of a formulation comprising a probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria to a body surface in need of treatment for said disorder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said formulation is topically administered to the skin. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said formulation is topically administered to a mucous membrane, wherein said mucous membrane is selected from the group consisting of the mucosa of: the vagina, the penis, the uretha, the bladder, the anus, the mouth, the nose, the throat, the bronchi, the lungs, the eye and the ear. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises more than one probiotic bacteria and/or soluble metabolite and/or cell lysates. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the bacteria comprises at least one lactic acid bacteria. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium lactis  and  Propionibacterium jensenii.    
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises said probacteria and/or said cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria, wherein said probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  NCFM,  Lactobacillus salivarius  Ls-33, and  Propionibacterium jensenii  P63. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises said soluble metabolite of a probacteria, and wherein said probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  NCFM,  Lactobacillus salivarius  Ls-33 and  Bifidobacterium lactis  420. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is  Bifidobacterium lactis  420. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises said cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria and/or said metabolite of a probacteria, and wherein said probiotic bacteria is  L. acidophilus  La-14. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said formulation further comprises at least one of betaine, a polyol (e.g. xylitol or lactitol) and/or a polyphenol (e.g. epicatechin or gallocatechin). 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the disorder associated with Tight Junction function is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis dry skin, allergy, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin (including irritation caused by enzymes used in washing detergents and sodium lauryl sulphate) and thinning skin (e.g. skin from the elderly and children). 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises between about 0.01% and about 30% by weight of probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the formulation is selected from the group consisting of a cream, lotion, spray, solution, gel, ointment, paste, plaster, paint, bioadhesive or suspension. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the formulation comprises liposomes, micelles, and/or microspheres.