The Effect of Oral Probiotic on the Interleukin-10 Serum Levels of Acne Vulgaris

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that commonly found in pilosebaceous units which can have an impact on the patient’s psychological burden. The relationship between dermatology and mental health is increasingly understood by the evidence shows that functional integrity and microbes in the gastrointestinal tract may play a role in mediating skin inflammation and emotional behaviour. The gut-brain-skin theory was first described in 1930 by Stokes and Pillsbury, became the basis of many current studies that look for clinical implications of the relationship between the gastrointestinal tract, brain and skin in acne vulgaris. Probiotics are live microorganisms which can provide a healthy effect to the hosts when consumed in adequate amounts. AIM: To determine the effect of oral probiotic on the interleukin-10 serum levels in acne vulgaris and also to determine the side effect of oral probiotic on acne vulgaris. METHODS: This is a pre-experimental clinical study with a pretest-posttest design involving 33 subjects with acne vulgaris. The subjects in this study were measured for IL-10 serum levels before and after oral probiotic was given for 30 days. This research has been approved by the Health Research Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. RESULTS: This study found an increase in serum IL-10 levels after oral probiotic in acne vulgaris. The value of serum IL-10 levels before oral probiotic administration was 5.27 ± 1.49 pg/ml, while the value of serum IL-10 levels after oral probiotic administration was 6.19 ± 1.68 pg/ml) with p values obtained through Wilcoxon test was 0,0001 (p < 0.05). The side effect of oral probiotic found in this study is bloating that was found in 2 subjects within the first week using oral probiotic. CONCLUSION: Oral probiotic trigger elevated IL-10 serum levels of acne vulgaris. This study supports previous studies that suggested oral probiotic can be considered as adjuvant acne vulgaris therapy and its side effect is quite safe and tolerable.