Dietary scallop oil prepared from the internal organs of Japanese giant scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) improved mite allergen-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms on the dorsal skin of NC/Nga mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of scallop oil (SCO) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms induced by mite allergens in the dorsal and ear skins of NC/Nga mice compared to those of refined corn oil and krill oil (KO). SCO, rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids, was prepared from the internal organs of Japanese giant scallop, an underutilized fishery resource in Japan. Results showed that SCO intake improved AD-like symptoms, including ear edema, ear thickness, and transepidermal water loss of dorsal skin, and tended to decrease the scratching behavior, whereas KO intake did not. Further, SCO intake decreased the degranulated mast cell count and increased the tight junction protein claudin-1 expression, which is important for the barrier function, in the dorsal skin compared to refined corn oil intake. SCO improved the AD-like symptoms by suppressing mast cell degranulation and strengthening the barrier function of dorsal skin in NC/Nga mice.