The Effects of a Spore-forming Lactic acid producing bacteria Probiotic on Improvement of Intestinal Environment and Skin Condition Have Been Demonstrated

The Mitsubishi Chemical Group performed a human clinical study of the spore-forming lactic acid producing bacteria probiotic Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258*1 (synonyms Weizmannia coagulans or Bacillus coagulans, hereinafter referred to as 'H. coagulans'), and confirmed its effectiveness in decreasing intestinal putrefactive products and intestinal advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as improving skin condition. The study results were published in Nutrition on July 25, 2024^*2.
 
In the intestine, various substances are produced by intestinal bacteria. Phenols, which are produced as intestinal putrefactive products, reportedly reach the skin via the bloodstream to inhibit skin turnover, causing rough skin. AGEs, which result from proteins and sugars heated by body temperature in the intestine, are believed to cause skin aging by circulating and accumulating throughout the body.
Therefore, improving the intestinal environment is believed to lead to maintaining a healthy skin condition and preventing rough skin.
 
H.coagulans is, unlike other general lactobacillus, characterized by spore formation, giving it resistance to acid and heat. This allows it to survive the journey to the intestine, where it can germinate and proliferate. Previously, we have confirmed its functionalities including improvement of bowel movements and regulation of immune functions. We conducted a human clinical study to verify the functionality of H. coagulans in improving the intestinal environment and skin condition. The study involved 80 Japanese women aged 30 to 65 who received a capsule containing at least 1 billion cells of H. coagulans.
As a result, the following improvements were observed in those who received H. coagulans, compared to those who did not:
● Decrease in phenol, one of the intestinal putrefactive products
● Decrease carboxymethyllysine (CML), a representative AGE in the intestine
● Decrease phenol-producing bacteria and bacteria involved in CML production in the intestine
● Increase in skin lightness (L* value)^*3
● Decrease skin scaliness on the forehead

 
These findings suggest that intake of H. coagulans may improve the intestinal environment, brighten skin tone, and maintain healthy skin, by affecting intestinal microbiota.
 

^*1Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258
This is a spore-forming lactic acid bacterium discovered in 1949 by Prof. Ooki Yamanashi, Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus, University of Yamanashi) and has long been used as a probiotic. It is characterized by an ability to reach the intestine alive due to its resistance to gastric acid and has been shown to exhibit various functionalities, such as controlling intestinal metabolic functions, suppressing intestinal infections, stimulating the immune system, and reducing excessive inflammation.

^*2Information on article
Title: Improvement of Skin Condition and Intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans　SANK70258 Intake: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Comparative Study
Authors: Naoyuki Togawa, Ryouichi Yamada, Yoshinori Aoki, Shouhei Suehiro, Noriyoshi Uchida, Akane Haseda, Hiroyo Katsuyama, Naoyuki Honma, Jun Nishihara
Journal title: ”Nutrition” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2024.112533

^*3Spectrophotometer (CM-700d, Konica Minolta, Inc.) was used to measure skin color.