Scientists from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences ( IRZiBŻ PAN) in Olsztyn are testing how supplementation with a prebiotic derived from chicory improves the health of patients with psoriasis.

“We suppose that restoring the balance of intestinal microbiota and proper functioning of the intestinal barrier in people with psoriasis will alleviate the symptoms of inflammation and the severity of skin lesions observed in this chronic skin inflammation”, explains Urszula Krupa-Kozak, PhD, Professor of the IRZiBŻ PAN in Olsztyn.

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic dermatitis with an immunological basis. 

“The pathogenesis of psoriasis is not yet fully understood. Recent research indicates that the increased immune response responsible for the systemic inflammation observed in this disease may be a consequence of the aforementioned intestinal dysbiosis”, Urszula Krupa-Kozak points out.

The research is conducted as part of a project entitled ‘Effect of modulation of the intestinal microbiota induced by β-fructans of the chicory inulin type on metabolic parameters and biomarkers of the gut-skin axis in chronic skin inflammation’, funded by the National Science Centre.