Low-salt water reduces intestinal permeability in atopic patients

Background: Clinical remission of atopic dermatitis (AD) after intake of a low-salt water has recently been reported. Methods: We here investigated th e effects of a low-salt water in AD patients with increased intestinal perm eability to lactulose. From an initial group of 75 atopic patients, who und ertook a treatment in a medical spa center, 12 were included because of abn ormal urinary excretion of lactulose (>0.6%), which is absorbed in the ente rocytic interspaces, at baseline. The excretion of mannitol with an extraen terocytic absorption was also studied as control. During 18 days, the patie nts followed a medical spa treatment course, including topical application and oral ingestion of a low-mineral water. Patients were asked not to modif y their usual food regimen during the cure. At the end of treatment (day 18 ), the determination of the excretion of both sugars in urine was repeated. Results: At baseline, the mean urine excretion of lactulose in the study p opulation was 1.21+/- 0.08 SEM. At the end of treatment (day 18), the lactu lose concentration in urine diminished dramatically by 55% (mean 0.55 +/- 0 .09 SEM, p = 0.0005). Urine mannitol was also found to be reduced over the cure period, although to a lesser extent (30%, p=0.04). Conclusion: This st udy indicates that low-mineral water normalizes the intestinal permeability of patients with AD.