Clinical Trial to Evaluate Effectiveness of a Probiotic Preparation Administered to Patients With Alopecia Areata

Randomized, Double-blind and Placebo-controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Probiotic Preparation Administered to Patients With Alopecia Areata

This study is part of a broader project that proposes the characterization of what we call the "Entire-Systemic Axis". It aims to study whether the bacteria present in the human skin microbiota and in the human intestinal microbiota can play a role in the pathophysiology of Alopecia Areata (AA), a fact that has not been studied to date. Based on the supposed relationship between the human microbiota and AA, we have formulated the hypothesis that the dietary supplementation of specific probiotic strains, with functional capacities on mucocutaneous tissue and its adnexa, could benefit patients with AA, acting on the patients' microbiome profile.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Alopecia Areata
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Placebo; Dietary supplement: Probiotic mixture

Detailed Description

This clinical study was designed to be a randomized, double-blind, with parallel-groups, and placebo-controlled with a duration of 24 weeks duration.

The 24 weeks of intervention were structured in 6 face-to-face visits in consultation: visit 1 or initial (week 0), visit 2 (week 4), visit 3 (week 8), visit 4 (week 12), visit 5 (week 16) and visit 6 or end of study (week 24).

Visit 1 or initial (Week 0)

To recruit patients, all those voluntaries who attended the participating centre showing interest in the study with AA diagnosis meeting the criteria indicated in the study protocol were thoroughly informed of the study as well as of the implications of their participation.

Once the informed consent was signed a physician trained for the study conducted the initial interview The researcher proceeded to assign the patient a participant number in the study. According to a previously prepared randomization list, the patient was assigned the treatment received during the study by contacting the randomization centre Likewise, in this initial visit, the clinical history and capillary measurements were made: trichoscopy, plaques counting and photographs. In addition, the patient underwent a blood draw, and a skin sample from the area of plaques as well as sample of faeces was collected.

Finally, following the therapeutic protocol, a local infiltration of corticosteroids was performed and data from the DLQI subjective scale was collected.

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code

Intermediate visits 2, 3 and 4 (Weeks 4, 8 and 12 respectively)

In addition to assessing the symptoms of the disease, the infiltration of topical corticosteroids and taking photographs was performed during these visits. The researcher recorded the adverse events reported by the patient (including the start date and in case those adverse events had already been resolved at the time of the visit the end date) as well as the accounting of the remaining product to evaluate treatment compliance in the Case Report Form (CRF).

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code.

Intermediate Visit 5 (Week 16)

Besides performing the same procedures as in previous intermediate visits 2, 3 and 4, in this visit capillary measurements were added.

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code

Visit 6 or final (Week 24)

During this final visit, the same procedures as in visit 1 were conducted, including capillary measurements and sample collection.

Possible adverse events were recorded, specifying the start and end dates, and the treatment received, if any. In addition, patient's leftover study product was collected

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Alicante, Spain, 03014
    • Centro dermatológico estético

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 61 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• AA diagnosis by clinical criteria.
• Show at least 2 signs of AA activity, visualized by trichoscopy
• Signature of informed consent by the patient, in accordance with the legislation on clinical trials.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergies or contraindication to take any of the components of the product under study.
• Topical or systemic use of antifungals and antibiotics in the previous 2 weeks.
• Consumption of probiotics in the previous 2 months. - Participation in clinical studies in the previous 2 months.
• Pregnancy and/or lactation.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Probiotic group; Probiotic in capsule format administered orally. This probiotic product contains a mixture of strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, called BTHS21, at concentrations equal to or greater than 1x109 cfu/dose.	Dietary supplement: Probiotic mixture; Mixture of strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria
Placebo Comparator: Placebo group; Maltodextrin, masked in an identical and indistinguishable format to that of the probiotic	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Maltodextrin

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes from baseline in signs of AA activity visualized by capillary trichoscopy at 16 and 24 weeks	The signs of AA activity assessed in trichoscopy were: Black dots (cadaveric hairs). Pigmented broken or fractured hairs at the level of the scalp; Broken or exclamation mark hairs (peladic hairs). Fractured hairs with the distal end frayed and thicker.; Broken hairs; Tapered hairs (coudability hairs). Hairs of normal length, but with a narrower proximal shaft (indicating activity at the base of the hair).; Pseudomonilethrix	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in signs of AA inactivity visualized by capillary trichoscopy at 16 and 24 weeks	The signs of AA inactivity assessed in trichoscopy were: Yellow dots; Fluffy hairs; Empty follicular orifices	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in signs of capillary repopulation visualized by capillary trichoscopy at 16 and 24 weeks	The signs of capillary repopulation assessed in trichoscopy were: Straight hairs in regrowth; Pigtail hairs; Fluffy hairs	24 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes from baseline in AA plaques number at 16 and 24 weeks	Plaques counting	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in AA category/type at 16 and 24 weeks	Category types could be: Single; Multifocal; Total; Universal	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in SALT scale at 16 and 24 weeks	SALT scale measures the skin surface affected by AA, taking into account only the plaques on the scalp Scores range from 0 to 5 depending on the percentage of affected scalp: S0 = 0% S1 = 1 - 24% S2 = 25 - 49% S3 = 50 - 74% S4 = 75 - 99% S5 = 100% Areas to be evaluated are distributed in 4 parts: Right side (18%) Left side (18%) Top (40%) Back (24%) % Total alopecia = Sum of the areas with alopecia	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in haemoglobin values at 24 weeks	Haemoglobin values (g/dL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in leukocytes values at 24 weeks	Leukocytes values (cel x 10^3/uL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in platelets values at 24 weeks	Platelets values (cel x 10^3/uL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in urea values at 24 weeks	Urea values (mg/dL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in creatinine values at 24 weeks	Creatinine values (mg/dL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) values at 24 weeks	TSH values (mUI/L)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in C-reactive protein values at 24 weeks	C-reactive protein values (mg/L)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) values at 24 weeks	AST values (U/L)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) values at 24 weeks	ALT values (U/L)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Interleukin-10 (IL-10) values at 24 weeks	IL-10 values (pg/mL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) values at 24 weeks	TNF values (pg/mL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Immunoglobulin E (IgE) values at 24 weeks	IgE values (U/mL)	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scale at 24 weeks	In DLQI scale, the patient answers a series of questions that assess the impact that Alopecia Areata has on their quality of life, categorizing each question as Very Much, Much, Little or Not at all. Each question answered with "Very much" is counted with 3 points, "Much" with 2, "Slightly" with 1, and "Not at all" as 0. The score obtained can range from 0 to 30 points, the latter being the worst possible score. The total score gives a value to the degree of impact of the disease on the patient's life: 0 - 1 = No effect 2 - 5 = Slight effect 6 - 10 = Moderate effect 11 - 20 = Very important effect 21 - 30 = Extremely important effect	24 weeks
Changes from baseline in alpha diversity, beta diversity and composition of the skin and gut microbiota at 24 weeks	Microbiota study sequencing the R16s gene, from a skin sample and a stool sample.	24 weeks
Adherence to treatment at 4,8,12,16 and 24 weeks	Count of remaining capsules	24 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Adverse events at 4,8,12,16 and 24 weeks	Number, type and severity of all adverse events that occur during the study, related or not to the intake of the probiotic product.	24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bioithas SL
• Collaborators: Bionou Research, S.L.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 8, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 8, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): December 30, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 26, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 26, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): October 31, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 31, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 26, 2022
• Last Verified: October 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Probiotics
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Hypotrichosis; Hair Diseases; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata
• Other Study ID Numbers: ALO.PRO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No