Probiotic bacteria for the topical treatment of skin disorders

1. A method for treating a disorder associated with Tight Junction function in a patient in need thereof, wherein:

the method comprises topically administering a formulation comprising an effective amount of a probiotic bacteria, a soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria;

the probiotic bacteria is Propionibacterium jensenii P 63; and

the disorder is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, allergy, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin, thinning skin and asthma.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation is formulated for administration to the skin.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:

the formulation is formulated for administration to a mucous membrane, and

said mucous membrane is selected from the group consisting of mucosa of a vagina, penis, urethra, the bladder, anus, mouth, nose, throat, bronchi, lungs, eye and ear.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises a second probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a second probiotic bacteria and/or cell lysate of a second probiotic bacteria.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second probiotic bacteria is a lactic acid bacteria.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium lactis and Propionibacterium jensenii.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises the probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of the probiotic bacteria.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises betaine, a polyol and/or a polyphenol.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, allergy, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin and thinning skin.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises between about 0.01% and about 30% by weight of the probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation is in a form of a cream, lotion, spray, solution, gel, ointment, paste, plaster, paint, bioadhesive or suspension.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the formulation comprises liposomes, micelles, and/or microspheres.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the patient the probiotic bacteria.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the method comprises topically administering from 10 6 to 10 12 CFU of the probiotic bacteria per day.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the patient a cell lysate of the probiotic bacteria.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises topically administering to the patient a soluble metabolite of the probiotic bacteria.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises xylitol or lactitol.

19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises epicatechin or gallocatechin.

20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the disorder is irritated skin caused by enzymes used in a washing detergent or sodium lauryl sulphate.

21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the disorder is thinning skin of an elderly person.

22. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the disorder is thinning skin of a child.

23. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the patient is a human.