Lactic acid bacteria affect serum cholesterol levels, harmful fecal enzyme activity, and fecal water content

Abstract

BackgroundLactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial probiotic organisms that contribute to improved nutrition, microbial balance, and immuno-enhancement of the intestinal tract, as well as lower cholesterol. Although present in many foods, most trials have been in spreads or dairy products. Here we tested whether Bifidobacteria isolates could lower cholesterol, inhibit harmful enzyme activities, and control fecal water content.MethodsIn vitro culture experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy Koreans (20~30 years old) to reduce cholesterol-levels in MRS broth containing polyoxyethanylcholesterol sebacate. Animal experiments were performed to investigate the effects on lowering cholesterol, inhibiting harmful enzyme activities, and controlling fecal water content. For animal studies, 0.2 ml of the selected strain cultures (108~109 CFU/ml) were orally administered to SD rats (fed a high-cholesterol diet) every day for 2 weeks.ResultsB. longum SPM1207 reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly (p < 0.05), and slightly increased serum HDL. B. longum SPM1207 also increased fecal LAB levels and fecal water content, and reduced body weight and harmful intestinal enzyme activities.ConclusionDaily consumption of B. longum SPM1207 can help in managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia, with potential to improve human health by helping to prevent colon cancer and constipation.

Effects of Metabolite Combinations Produced by <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> on Plasma Cholesterol and Fatty Acids in Piglets

“…This is complement with Loh et al (2009) when they reported that feeding 0.25% spray-dried metabolite was able to reduce the plasma cholesterol concentration in postweaning rats. Fermented milk containing L. acidophilus L1 had effects in reducing 2.4-3.2% of serum cholesterol concentration in human (Lee et al, 2009). The effect of LAB on lipid content may be due to enhance the bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity and facilitate the elimination of cholesterol in faeces.…”

“…It has been reported that LAB able to reduce plasma cholesterol when used as an additive in animal feeding (Sindhu and Khetarpaul, 2003;Loh et al, 2009). Lee et al (2009) showed Lactobacillus plantarum could reduce the plasma cholesterol. Foo et al (2003) also reported that Lactobacillus cultures from fermented products decreased plasma cholesterol concentration in rats.…”

Hypolipidemic Effect of the Autoclaved Extract Prepared from Pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L.) Pods In Vivo and In Vitro

“…It is well known that bifidobacteria is beneficial for humans, and 96 cases in the literature on the cholesterol-lowering effect of bifidobacteria or other prebiotics (key words: bifidobacteria, cholesterol) were obtained in PubMed (41). When we determined neutral sugar from AE, xylose was observed (2.560.6 mg/g of dry matter).…”

Hypocholesterolaemic Effects of Probiotics

“…Usman and Hosono [10] also observed a significant reduction in TC and LDL-C in rats fed L. gasseri. In a more recent study, B. longum SPM1207 isolated from healthy adult Koreans reduced serum TC and LDL-C significantly (p <0.05), and slightly increased serum HDL-C in rats [11]. In another study, Shin et al [10] demonstrated that B. longum SPM1207, although killed by sonication, could significantly reduce serum TC and LDL-C, but with no significant improvement in HDL-C when fed to rats for 3 weeks [66].…”

“…Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that influence the health of the host by improving their microbial balance. Modifications of intestinal flora have been shown to be beneficial on lipid metabolism in mice [2][3][4][5][6], rats [7][8][9][10][11], guinea pigs [12] and pigs [13]. In contrast, studies in humans [14,15] indicated that the role of fermented milk products as hypocholesterolaemic agents were inconsistent but more reliable effects were documented in the recent clinical studies [16][17][18][19].…”