Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Probiotic Mixture on Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Abstract

Growing evidence has indicated that supplementation with probiotics improves lipid metabolism. We aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of a probiotics mixture (PM) of three strains belonging to the species Bifidobacterium (B. longum, B. lactis, and B. breve) and two strains belonging to the species Lactobacillus (L. reuteri and L. plantarum) on cholesterol-lowering efficacy in hypercholesterolemic rats. A hypercholesterolemic rat model was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for eight weeks. To test the effects of PM on hypercholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemic rats were assigned to four groups, which were treated daily with low (1.65 × 109 cfu/kg), medium (5.5 × 109 cfu/kg), or high (1.65 × 1010 cfu/kg) doses of probiotic mixture or simvastatin for eight weeks. Significant reductions of serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, but increases of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were observed after supplementation of PM in hypercholesterolemic rats. In PM-supplemented hypercholesterolemic rats, hepatic tissue contents of TC and TG also significantly decreased. Notably, the histological evaluation of liver tissues demonstrated that PM dramatically decreased lipid accumulation. For their underlying mechanisms, we demonstrated that PM reduced expressions of cholesterol synthesis-related proteins such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that PM has beneficial effects against hypercholesterolemia. Accordingly, our PM might be utilized as a novel therapeutic agent for the management of hypercholesterolemia.

In vivo safety assessment of Lactobacillus fermentum strains, evaluation of their cholesterol‐lowering ability and intestinal microbial modulation

“…Although pharmacological drugs for treating hypercholesterolemia conditions are available, oral administration of probiotics has been shown to significantly reduce/prevent serum cholesterol levels in experimental animals . While several in vitro studies on cholesterol removal by probiotics propose diverse mechanisms, in vivo studies in recent years have reported the involvement of probiotics in regulating cholesterol synthesis related proteins and pathways (sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Niemann–Pick C1‐like 1 (NPC1L1)) in the liver . As shown in these studies, our results demonstrate a diminution in TGL, LDL and total serum cholesterol and an increase in HDL, indicating the involvement of L. fermentum test strains in the regulation of cholesterol absorption related genes and/or pathways.…”

“…10 While several in vitro studies on cholesterol removal by probiotics propose diverse mechanisms, 10 in vivo studies in recent years have reported the involvement of probiotics in regulating cholesterol synthesis related proteins and pathways (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1)) in the liver. 24,32 As shown in these studies, our results demonstrate a diminution in TGL, LDL and total serum cholesterol and an increase in HDL, indicating the involvement of Administration of L. fermentum decreases the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing the HDL level. The whole blood levels of toxicological key enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, ALD and ALP) as well as glucose, chloride and urea do not differ significantly between the control and the L. fermentum administered groups (P > 0.05).…”

“…Generally, development of cytoplasmic and fat vesicles and macrovesicles filled with lipid droplets are characteristic of hypercholesterolemia induced liver steatosis . As expected, the supplementation of high fat in the diet induced hepatocyte ballooning and steatosis in control animals, which was clear in our liver histology.…”

Probiotic mitigates the toxic effects of potassium dichromate in a preclinical study: a randomized controlled trial

“…Studies have also observed a decrease in water consumption at least partly as a result of the low palatability of Cr (VI) and the toxic effects of the metal . We did not observe changes in water intake in groups supplemented with probiotics, which was also reported by Kim et al …”

“…26 Studies have also observed a decrease in water consumption at least partly as a result of the low palatability of Cr (VI) 18,27 and the toxic effects of the metal. 17 We did not observe changes in water intake in groups supplemented with probiotics, which was also reported by Kim et al 28 The increase in the relative weight of the liver may be a result of the toxic effect of Cr (VI) 17,18 that caused hepatomegaly. 29 Intoxication induced by increasing doses of Cr (VI) resulted in liver dysfunction, which was reflected by an alteration in several functional markers in serum and the histological analyses.…”