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 . A method for treating a skin disorder associated with Tight Junction function in a patient in need thereof, wherein:
 the method comprises topically administering a formulation comprising an effective amount of a probiotic bacteria, a soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria, to a skin of said patient;   the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  NCFM,  Lactobacillus salivarius  Ls-33 , Bifidobacterium lactis  420, and  Lactobacillus acidophilus  La-14;   and,   the disorder is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin, thinning skin and asthma.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises a second probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a second probiotic bacteria and/or cell lysate of a second probiotic bacteria. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the second probiotic bacteria is a lactic acid bacteria. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the second probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium lactis  and  Propionibacterium jensenii.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises the probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of the probiotic bacterial. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  NCFM, and  Lactobacillus salivarius  Ls-33. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is  Bifidobacterium lactis  420 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is  L. acidophilus  La-14. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises betaine, a polyol and/or a polyphenol. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin and thinning skin. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises between about 0.01% and about 30% by weight of probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is selected from the group consisting of a cream, lotion, spray, solution, gel, ointment, paste, plaster, paint, bioadhesive or suspension. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises liposomes, micelles, and/or microspheres. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the skin of the patient the probiotic bacteria. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the method comprises topically administering from 10 6  to 10 12  CFU of the probiotic bacteria per day. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the skin of the patient a cell lysate of the probiotic bacteria. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the skin of the patient a soluble metabolite of the probiotic bacteria. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises xylitol or lactitol. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises epicatechin or gallocatechin. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the patient is a human.