Abstract
The hypocholesterolemic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum AK strain was tested in rats fed high cholesterol diet. The lipid profile, growth rate and microflora dynamics of rats that received L. plantarum AK strain were significantly different from the control group (p 0.5). In particular low density lipoprotein was lower in serum of rats that received L. plantarum than those of the control group. The test group had a higher growth rate, higher lactobacilli counts but lower coliform and Escherichia coli counts over a period of 40 days and these observed differences were significant (p 0.05). These results are indicative of the abilities of this strain to lower serum cholesterol levels as well as to improve intestinal microbial balance as observed in the microflora dynamics over a period of 40 days.
Highlights
Maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis is vital for a healthy status and is achieved through a regulatory network consisting of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis, absorption, metabolism and elimination [1].Hypercholesterolemia in humans has been shown to play a major role in atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke as well as cerebrovascular diseases [2,3,4]
Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels are positively related to coronary heart disease (CHD), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels are negatively related to CHD [6,7], high total cholesterol (TC) to HDLC ratio is considered a risk factor [8]
In all the periods i.e. day 10, 20, 30 and 40, the values of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were generally higher in the control group and the observed differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05)
Summary
Hypercholesterolemia in humans has been shown to play a major role in atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke as well as cerebrovascular diseases [2,3,4]. High cholesterol has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome symptoms, including abdominal obesity (large waist circumference), hyperglycemia, hypertriacylglycerolemia and hypertension by as much as 3-fold [5]. Shaper et al [9] and Mann and Spoerry [10] are credited with the discovery of hypocholesterolemic effects of diets containing Lactobacillus strains. There has been accumulating evidence that the presence Lactobacillus in sufficient amounts is associated with the lowering of serum cholesterol levels in experimental animals [13,15] though this is not always proven in humans [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
