%0 Journal Article
%T <i>Gluconacetobacter</i> <i>hansenii</i> GK-1 Ingestion for 8 Weeks Improves Skin Discomfort in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
%A Mariko Oe
%A Mengwei Yuan
%A Keiko Kuriyama
%A Yumi Takeda
%A Mamoru Kimura
%A Ryosuke Matsuoka
%A Naoki Miura
%A Jun Muto
%J Food and Nutrition Sciences
%P 1085-1094
%@ 2157-9458
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/fns.2024.1511070
%X <i>Gluconacetobacter</i> <i>hansenii</i> GK-1 is an acid-resistant gram-negative bacterium used in vinegar brewing. Oral ingestion of GK-1 was previously reported to help maintain immunity and reduce nasal discomfort. Considering the suggested mechanism of action of activation of regulatory T cells via TLR4 to control Th1/Th2 balancing, GK-1 is also assumed to reduce skin discomfort secondary to immune reactions; however, this has not been validated in humans. Thus, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study on 100 healthy Japanese men and women (mean age, 47.6 &#177; 1.01 years) aged 20&#8211;64 years who consumed GK-1 (9 &#215; 10<sup>9</sup> cells) daily for 8 weeks. Visual analog scale for overall, facial, arm, and leg skin discomfort was assessed before and after ingestion. The cumulative days of skin discomfort during the ingestion period were assessed. Compared with the placebo group, the <i>G. </i><i>hansenii</i> GK-1 group had a significantly lower visual analog scale for overall and facial skin discomfort after 8 weeks and cumulative days of skin discomfort. Moreover, there were no adverse events attributable to <i>G. </i><i>hansenii</i> GK-1. This study confirmed that oral ingestion of <i>G. </i><i>hansenii</i> GK-1 contributed to skin integrity. The study protocol was preregistered at the Clinical Trials Registry System (registration no. UMIN000053005, December 7, 2023).
%K Acetic Acid Bacteria
%K Ingestion
%K Skin Itch
%K Paraprobiotics
%K Functional Food
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=137362