Red Grape Polyphenol Oral Administration improves Immune Response in Women Affected by Nickel-Mediated Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Background: Our previous findings demonstrated that in vitro supplementation of polyphenols, extracted from seeds of red grape (Nero di Troia cultivar), to peripheral lymphomonocytes from patients affected by allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to nickel (Ni) could reduce release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing levels of interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Objective: To assess whether an intervention with oral administration of polyphenols leads to a reduction of peripheral biomarkers in ACD patients. Method: At T0, 25 patients affected by ACD to Ni were orally administered with 300 mg polyphenols prodie extracted from seeds of red grape (Nero di Troia cultivar) (NATUR-OX®) for 3 months (T1). Other 25 patients affected by ACD to Ni received placebo only for the same period of time. Serum biomarkers were analyzed at T0 and T1. In both groups seven drop outs were recorded. Result: At T1 in comparison to T0, in treated patients, values of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, PTX3 and NO decreased, while IL-10 levels increased when compared with T0 values. Conversely, in placebo-treated patients no modifications of biomarkers were evaluated at T1. Conclusion: Present laboratory data rely on the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of polyphenols.