Two ingredients marketed by Bioiberica, Biosfeen (a lipid extract with high sphingomyelin content) and Dermial (a hyaluronic acid-rich matrix of glycosaminoglycans), were evidenced in a recent clinical study to provide benefits to skin barrier function in companion animals such as dogs.
 
The research, appearing in Veterinary Sciences, found that both ingredients alone or in combination enhance filaggrin and antimicrobial peptide expression, two key factors in skin barrier function.
 
Atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin disease in canines, is estimated to affect 10-15% of dogs in general clinical populations. Sphingolipids and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are reported to improve the skin barrier in several animal species, including dogs. The pre-clinical study aimed to investigate the in-vitro effects of both ingredients on filaggrin and beta-defensin expression, which is altered in atopic dermatitis, and therefore their potential benefits for skin conditions linked to barrier dysfunction.
 
A significant increase in human beta-defensin 2 compared to control was achieved with Biosfeen alone, and Biosfeen combined with Dermial. Filaggrin protein levels also improved following both interventions compared to control. Because both interventions enhanced beta-defensin 2 and filaggrin expression ,the authors concluded that both ingredients are promising for improving barrier function in skin.
 
Bioiberica’s Atopivet is a finished product range for companion animals which contains both Biosfeen and Dermial as active ingredients, and is recommended for companion animals demonstrating weakened skin integrity. The sphingomyelin-rich lipid extract and hyaluronic acid-based GAGs matrix were developed to support healthy skin by targeting the epidermal barrier and helping to maintain its integrity.
 
“In addition to making the skin red, swollen, dry, and itchy, there is growing evidence to suggest that chronic skin barrier defects can increase the risk of recurrent skin infections. Moreover, some topical antimicrobial products have been reported to lead to further irritation of the skin, exacerbating epidermal barrier dysfunction. Finding a solution that helps to restore epidermal barrier function and integrity is therefore important for managing skin conditions in dogs,” said Sergi Segarra, lead author of the study and R&D Project Manager of Animal Health at Bioiberica.
 
“The objective of our study was to better characterize the mechanism of action of Biosfeen lipid extract and Dermial GAGs matrix and further explore the potential beneficial effects of these ingredients on skin health, especially in companion animals. The findings from this study hint that our Atopivet range, which contains a combination of Biosfeen and Dermial, supports barrier function by increasing the expression of important molecules linked to skin health, like filaggrin and beta-defensin. This makes it a viable option to support skin health in companion animals.”
 
Previous studies have provided evidence that Biosfeen can increase ceramide levels and improve clinical signs related to atopic dermatitis, and Dermial has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing the proliferation and migration of skin cells, increasing elastin production, and improving skin hydrating capacity, Bioiberica reports.