Postbiotic eye drops from AB-Biotics help reduce symptoms of dry eye disease, says recent study

Photo © iStockphoto.com/fotoadrenalina

A recent study¹ found that a postbiotic eye drop may reduce symptoms of dry eye disease. In the randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-masking clinical trial with four parallel arms, researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of Latilactobacillus sakei as either an ophthalmic bacterial lysate (drops with no live organism; ie. postbiotic) or oral probiotic capsules. The eye drops are manufactured by AB-Biotics (Barcelona, Spain) as Protears. Researchers randomly assigned subjects in a 2X2 factorial design that combined “active vs placebo capsules and active vs placebo eye drops in a 1:1x1:1 ratio.”

Results showed that the eye drops, which are approved in the European Union as a medical device, significantly decreased dry eye disease signs and symptoms compared to placebo. Researchers measured treatment effects by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Tear Break-up Time (TBUT), and Schirmer I tests. Researchers also found that the active capsules did not offer significant reductions in dry eye disease symptoms compared to placebo or when interacting with the active eye drops. Researchers also observed significantly decreased tear levels of IL-6, TNFα, and IFNγ in subjects receiving the active drops. The researchers concluded that the postbiotic suppressed inflammatory response on the ocular surface.

Reference

Heydair, M.; Kalani, M.; Ghasemi, Y.; Nejabat, M. The Effect of Ophthalmic and Systemic Formulations of Latilactobacillus sakei on Clinical and Immunological Outcomes of Patients With Dry Eye Disease: A Factorial, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, and Triple-masking Clinical Trial. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins, Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10079-1 (Accessed June 13, 2023).