Effects of oral supplementation with FOS and GOS prebiotics in women with adult acne: the “S.O. Sweet” study: a proof-of-concept pilot trial

Background: We evaluated the effects of 3-month prebiotic oral supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in women with adult acne (female adult acne). Methods: Twelve women, mean age 35 years, with mild to moderate acne were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were severe acne, body mass index (BMI) >25, history of diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, regular intake of prebiotics or probiotics, and history of inflammatory intestinal diseases. At baseline visit (T0), at month 1 (T1), and at month 3 (T2) fasting glucose, blood insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), C-peptide, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels, and BMI were measured. Subjects were treated with a food supplement containing FOS (100 mg) and GOS (500 mg), one sachet daily, for 3 months. Subjects were instructed to follow their regular diet, and no dietary restrictions were suggested. Results: At baseline, the BMI, mean ± SD, was 23±0.7. No modification of BMI was observed during the study. At baseline, fasting blood glucose levels were 92±7 mg/dL. A significant ( P =0.02) reduction was observed at month 1 (86±5 mg/dL) and at month 3 (85±7 mg/dL) (–10%). Total cholesterol levels were reduced significantly ( P =0.018) from 184±19 to 161±10 mg/dL (–13%) at the end of the study. Triglycerides at baseline were 51 mg/dL and were reduced to 46 mg/dL ( P =0.05). Insulin and C-peptide plasma levels showed a nonsignificant reduction trend from baseline to the end of the study. In subjects with baseline insulin level >6 µUI/mL (n=6) the FOS/GOS supplementation induced a significant ( P =0.03) reduction from 7.8 to 4.3 µUI/mL at day 90 (–45%). C-peptide was reduced from 2.1 to 1.6 ng/mL (month 3). HbA1c at baseline was 35 mg/dL and 32 mg/dL at the end of the study (NS). Conclusion: In adult female acne, supplementation with prebiotic FOS and GOS was associated with positive effects on glycemic and lipid metabolic parameters.