The effects of probiotics on total cholesterol

Abstract

Background:Probiotics supplements provide a new nonpharmacological alternative to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The impact of probiotics on the reduction of total cholesterol (TC) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to showcase the most updated and comprehensive evaluation of the studies.Methods:Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database dating from January 2007 to January 2017. The curative effects of probiotics on the reduction of TC were assessed using mean difference (MD), as well as their 95% confidence interval (CI). RevMan software (version 5.3) was used to carry out this meta-analysis.Results:Thirty-two RCTs including 1971 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results of this analysis showed that compared with the control group serum TC was significantly reduced in probiotics group [MD = −13.27, 95% CI (−16.74 to 9.80), P < .05]. In addition, specific strains also significantly reduced serum TC, L acidophilus and B lactis [MD = −8.30, 95% CI (−10.44, −6.15), P < .05]; VSL#3 [MD = −11.04, 95% CI (−19.61, −2.48), P < .05]; L plantarum t ≤ 6 weeks: [MD = −1.56, 95% CI (−6.97, −3.86), P < .05] or t > 6 weeks: [MD = −22.18, 95% CI (−28.73, −15.63), P < .05]. Subgroup analysis indicated that the difference of baseline TC, probiotics forms and intervention duration might have a significant impact on the results. However, strains and doses of probiotics had no significant influence on curative effects.Conclusion:Available evidence indicates that probiotics supplements can significantly reduce serum TC. Furthermore, higher baseline TC, longer intervention time, and probiotics in capsules form might contribute to a better curative effect.

The Potential of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis

“…Again Lactobacillus acidophilus was highlighted as the most effective strain in reducing LDL‐C . A more recent meta‐analysis of 32 clinical trials and 1971 patients also reported a significant reduction in TC with probiotic supplementation . Subgroup analysis suggested that a difference in baseline TC as well as the duration of intervention may significantly impact results; however, the probiotic strain and the dose were found to have no significant influence .…”

“…The beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on plasma lipids is well documented and a large number of meta‐analyses concur that probiotics are associated with a significant reduction in TC and LDL‐C . One meta‐analysis of the effects of probiotic supplementation on lipid profiles of normal and hypercholesterolemic individuals included 26 clinical studies utilizing fermented milk products and probiotic supplements .…”

“…A more recent meta‐analysis of 32 clinical trials and 1971 patients also reported a significant reduction in TC with probiotic supplementation . Subgroup analysis suggested that a difference in baseline TC as well as the duration of intervention may significantly impact results; however, the probiotic strain and the dose were found to have no significant influence . Although there is evidence that probiotic bacteria are able to influence host lipid profiles, the exact mechanisms of action remain poorly understood (see Section 11).…”

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

“…The sub-group analysis of clinical trials suggested that the long-term consumption of probiotic exhibited more beneficial effects on the lipid profile of the subjects [44]. A recent study reported that intervention of probiotics significantly reduced the TC when compared to the TC of the control group, and also stated that specific probiotic strains (B. lactis and L. acidophilus; L. plantarum) significantly reduced the TC [47]. Another recent study suggested that the probiotic preparations containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium could reduce the LDL-C content in metabolic syndrome patients without improving the TC and HDL-C content [48].…”

“…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.…”