zinc-methionine and Dermatitis--Atopic

Zinc is important for skin health and proper immune system function.. A zinc methionine, essential fatty acids (EFA) and biotin product (Zn supplement) was compared to an EFA and biotin product (control) in canine atopic dermatitis (CAD).. Twenty seven client-owned dogs with chronic CAD receiving ciclosporin or glucocorticoids.. A 24 week, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study with crossover at week 12 and 4 week period of allergy medication reduction at weeks 8 and 20. Evaluations included Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI), pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and cytology sampling.. In dogs receiving the zinc supplement and ciclosporin for eight weeks, 44% (n = 7) had significantly decreased CADLI from 11.9 to 6.0 (P = 0.0002) with no significant change in pruritus VAS (P = 1.0). In dogs receiving the zinc supplement and glucocorticoids for eight weeks, 55% (n = 6) had significantly decreased CADLI from 10.9 to 5.0 (P = 0.0043) and pruritus VAS from 7.4 to 3.2 (P = 0.0166). For dogs receiving either steroids or ciclosporin there was a reduction in use of such medications, for at least four weeks, in 63% of dogs receiving the zinc supplement and 37% of dogs receiving the control. This difference was not significant (P = 0.1027). Seventy eight percent of dogs were diagnosed and treated for superficial skin infections during the study.. This study supports a potential benefit of adjunctive zinc methionine supplementation in CAD. Dogs receiving glucocorticoids may be more likely to benefit. Further studies are needed to substantiate these initial results.

Topics: Animals; Biotin; Cross-Over Studies; Cyclosporine; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Dietary Supplements; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Male; Methionine; Organometallic Compounds