Effects of single and combined administration of fermented barley extract and gamma-aminobutyric acid on the development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(1):135-9. doi: 10.1271/bbb.90653. Epub 2010 Jan 7.

Abstract

We examined the effects single and combined administration of fermented barley extract P (FBEP), prepared from barley-shochu distillery by-products, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Single administration of FBEP and GABA dose-dependently reduced the development of AD-like skin lesions in mice. GABA reduced the development of AD-like skin lesions by suppressing serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and splenocyte interleukin (IL)-4 production, while FBEP reduced skin lesions without affecting the IgE or cytokine production. However, in mice with induced AD-like skin lesions, combined administration of FBEP and GABA decreased serum IgE levels and splenic cell IL-4 production, and increased splenic cell interferon-gamma production. These results suggest that combined administration of FBEP and GABA alleviated AD-like skin lesions in the NC/Nga mice by adjusting the Th1/Th2 balance to a Th1-predominant immune response.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / chemically induced
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Fermentation*
  • Hordeum / chemistry*
  • Hordeum / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Mice
  • Picryl Chloride / administration & dosage
  • Picryl Chloride / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Plant Extracts
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Picryl Chloride