Probiotic Soy Product Supplemented with Isoflavones Improves the Lipid Profile of Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that specific probiotics affect the host’s metabolism and may influence the cardiovascular disease risk. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an isoflavone-supplemented soy product fermented with Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and Lactobacillus helveticus 416 on cardiovascular risk markers in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. Design: Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial Setting: São Paulo State University in Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Participants: 49 male healthy men with total cholesterol (TC) >5.17 mmol/L and <6.21 mmol/L Intervention: The volunteers have consumed 200 mL of the probiotic soy product (group SP-1010 CFU/day), isoflavone-supplemented probiotic soy product (group ISP–probiotic plus 50 mg of total isoflavones/100 g) or unfermented soy product (group USP-placebo) for 42 days in a randomized, double-blind study. Main outcome measures: Lipid profile and additional cardiovascular biomarkers were analyzed on days 0, 30 and 42. Urine samples (24 h) were collected at baseline and at the end of the experiment so as to determine the isoflavones profile. Results: After 42 days, the ISP consumption led to improved total cholesterol, non-HDL-C (LDL + IDL + VLDL cholesterol fractions) and electronegative LDL concentrations (reduction of 13.8%, 14.7% and 24.2%, respectively, p < 0.05). The ISP and SP have prevented the reduction of HDL-C level after 42 days. The C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were not improved. The equol production by the ISP group subjects was inversely correlated with electronegative LDL concentration. Conclusions: The results suggest that a regular consumption of this probiotic soy product, supplemented with isoflavones, could contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in moderately hypercholesterolemic men, through the an improvement in lipid profile and antioxidant properties.

Phytochemicals as novel agents for the induction of browning in white adipose tissue

“…A recent human clinical trial with isoflavone supplemented soy probiotic for 42 days, showed an improvement in the lipid profile of moderately hypercholesteremic men [42]. One major photochemical belonging to this group of soy isoflavones is genistein.…”

A Mini-Review of Human Studies on Cholesterol-Lowering Properties of Probiotics

“…The supplementation of soy product (equivalent of 10 10 CFU of probiotic strain) with 50 mg isoflavone per day for 42 days significantly improved the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and electronegative LDL content in the subjects while the level of HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) was unaffected and the level of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels were not enhanced. The results suggested that the consumption of probiotic soy product with isoflavone improved the cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic subjects [24].…”

“…Cavallini et al [24] studied the effect of probiotics (Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and Lactobacillus helveticus 416) fermented soy product containing isoflavone on the lipid profile of moderately hypercholesterolemic male subjects. The supplementation of soy product (equivalent of 10 10 CFU of probiotic strain) with 50 mg isoflavone per day for 42 days significantly improved the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and electronegative LDL content in the subjects while the level of HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) was unaffected and the level of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels were not enhanced.…”

“…Based on the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] reviewed in the present article, the hypocholesterolemic effect of the probiotics was not significantly influenced by the diet. Studies reported based on the intervention of single-strain probiotic (E. faecium M-74 along with selenium [27]; Saccharomyces cerevisiae var.…”

“…Studies based on the intervention of multi-genus, multi-species, multi-strain (strains of same species) probiotic preparation has been reported with positive effect on lipid profile [24][25][26]28,[31][32][33][34][36][37][38][39]47,48], while several studies reported no effect of multi-genus and multi-species probiotic intervention on the lipid profile [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. Even though intervention of Ecologic ® Barrier (B. bifidum W23, B. lactis W51, B. lactis W52, L. acidophilus W37, L. brevis W63, L. casei W56, L. salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19 and W58) exhibit hypocholesterolemic effect on different subjects (individuals with T2D [38]; obese postmenopausal women [39]) with different intervention duration (six months [38]; 12 weeks [39]), dosage of probiotic mixture does not influence the cholesterol-lowering ability of the probiotic mixture.…”