Cholesterol removal from media by lactococci

Exploring the Cholesterol-Modifying Abilities of Lactobacilli Cells in Digestive Models and Dairy Products

This study aimed to investigate the ability of lactic acid bacteria to remove cholesterol in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The findings showed that the amount of cholesterol removed was dependent on the biomass, viability, and bacterial strain. Some cholesterol binding was stable and not released during gastrointestinal transit. The presence of cholesterol affected the fatty acid profile of bacterial cells, potentially influencing their metabolism and functioning. However, adding cholesterol did not significantly impact the survival of lactic acid bacteria during gastrointestinal transit. Storage time, passage, and bacterial culture type did not show significant effects on cholesterol content in fermented dairy products. Variations in cell survival were observed among lactic acid bacteria strains in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, depending on the environment. Higher milk protein content was found to be more protective for bacterial cells during gastrointestinal transit than fat content. Future research should aim to better understand the impact of cholesterol on lactic acid bacteria metabolism and identify potential health benefits.

Effects of Probiotic and Selenium Co-supplementation on Lipid Profile and Glycemia Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current systematic review and meta-analysis was done to evaluate the effects of selenium and probiotic co-supplementation on lipid profile and glycemia indices of the adult population using randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).

RECENT FINDINGS

Five studies involving 282 participants with a sample size ranging from 38 to 79 were eligible to be enrolled in the current study. Co-supplementation with probiotic and selenium reduced fasting plasma glucose (WMD =  -4.02 mg/dL; 95% CI: -5.87 to -2.18; P < 0.001), insulin (WMD =  -2.50 mIU/mL; 95% CI: -3.11 to -1.90; P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (WMD =  -0.59; 95% CI: -0.74 to -0.43; P < 0.001), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (WMD = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD =  -12.75 mg/dL; 95% CI: -19.44 to -6.07; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD =  -7.09 mg/dL; 95% CI: -13.45 to -0.73; P = 0.029), and triglyceride (WMD =  -14.38 mg/dL; 95% CI: -23.13 to -5.62; P = 0.001). The findings of the current systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that co-supplementation with probiotics and selenium may benefit adults in terms of glycemia indices and lipid profile. However, due to the small number of included studies, further trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Macleaya cordata extract improves the growth performance and intestinal health of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) farmed in intensive system

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) farmed in intensive system. A total of six cement tanks of fish were randomly divided into a control group fed a commercial diet and an MCE group fed the commercial diet with 100 mg/kg MCE, respectively. There were three replicates in each group. The results suggested that 100 mg/kg MCE could improve the growth performance and intestinal health of the American eels by strengthening the barrier function and antioxidative ability in the intestine and beneficially modulating intestinal microbiota with the higher relative abundance and more species of the potential probiotics and the lower relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria.

The Effect of Adding Job’s Tears to Yogurt on Plasma Glycated Albumin, Weight, and Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

A potential effect of Job's tears on metabolic diseases has been recognized. However, studies on the effect of Job's tears on lipid profile and glycated albumin (GA) are still rare. This study aimed to examine the influence of Job's tears in conjunction with probiotics on the lipid profile and GA concentration of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This double-blind 12-week study involved 60 patients with type 2 diabetes assigned randomly into two groups. The first group consumed yogurt alone (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium Bb12), while the second had yogurt with Job's tears once daily (200 ml each). Lipids and GA concentrations were measured using an enzymatic colorimetric assay. Paired and unpaired Students t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann–Whitney test were applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The characteristics of the groups were comparable except for baseline plasma GA (p=0.012). Subjects who used Metformin were distributed equally between the groups (p=0.118). Caloric intake between the groups also did not differ (p=0.856). There was also no change in weight, BMI, or plasma GA. Yogurt and the mixture of Job's tears and yogurt reduced cholesterol and LDL and increased HDL (all p < 0.05) within the groups. However, HDL levels in patients who had Job's tears were significantly elevated than yogurt alone (0.9 vs. 25 mg/dL, p=0.029).

Conclusion

The combination of Job's tears and yogurt improved HDL more than yogurt alone.

Photosensitized oxidation of cholesterol and altered oxysterol levels in sour cream: Effects of addition of cucumber pickles

The aim of this research was to examine whether sour cream (18% fat) is an exogenous source of oxysterols and whether it is possible to improve its antioxidative properties and to modulate cholesterol transformation by adding cucumber. To determine whether cucumber modifies the properties of sour cream, fresh cucumber or cucumber pickle (pH 3.3; 1.5% lactic acid) was added in an amount of 20%. The sour cream samples were then stored under light (450 lx, 590 cd, 120 lm) for 3 wk. After storage, the addition of the cucumber pickle increased total mesophilic aerobic bacteria from 7.5 to 9.3 log cfu/g and increased the l-lactic acid content from 6.1 to 9.7 g/L. The total conjugated linoleic acid content in sour cream with cucumber pickle also increased to 4.5 mg/g fat after storage, whereas the cholesterol content decreased to 3.44 g/kg fat. Importantly, with the addition of cucumber pickle, the total content of cholesterol oxidization products (COP) did not change after storage (1.7 mg/kg fat). By contrast, the total COP content in the control sour cream sample increased from 1.7 to 7.3 mg/kg fat over 3 wk of storage. The dominant COP before and after storage was 7β-hydroxycholesterol. Thus, despite exposure to light, adding cucumber pickle to sour cream modulates cholesterol transformation and effectively inhibits the formation of oxysterols.

Isolation and Characterization of a Cholesterol-Lowering Bacteria from Bubalus bubalis Raw Milk

Probiotics retrieved from animal sources have substantial health benefits for both humans and animals. The present study was designed to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from domestic water buffalo milk (Bubalus bubalis) and to evaluate their potential as target-based probiotics. Forty-six LAB strains were isolated and, among them, five strains (NMCC-M2, NMCC-M4, NMCC-M5, NMCC-M6, and NMCC-M7) were regarded as possible probiotics on the basis of their phenotypic and biochemical properties. These isolates were molecularly identified as Weissella confusa (NMCC-M2), Leuconostoc pseudo-mesenteroides (NMCC-M4), Lactococcus lactis Subsp. hordniae (NMCC-M5), Enterococcus faecium NMCC-M6, and Enterococcus lactis NMCC-M7. The tested bacterial strains showed significant antimicrobial activity, susceptibility to antibiotics, acid and bile tolerance, sugar fermentation, enzymatic potential, and nonhemolytic characteristics. Interestingly, NMCC-M2 displayed the best probiotic features including survival at pH 3 and 0.5% (w/v) bile salts, complete susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, high enzymatic potential, and in vitro cholesterol reduction (48.0 µg/mL for NMCC-M2) with 0.3% bile salt supplementation. Therefore, the isolated strain NMCC-M2 could be considered as a potential target-based probiotic in cholesterol-lowering fermented food products.

Probiotics in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Increasing knowledge of the gut microbiota and its interference in human homeostasis in recent years has contributed to a better understanding of number of different interactions occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of the microbiota is detrimental to health and contributes to the development of numerous diseases and may also be an accelerator of pathophysiological processes such as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, so the development of new methods to support the treatment and prevention of these diseases becoms one of the priorities of modern medicine. Probiotics may constitute an important element of support in the treatment and prevention of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). A number of papers support such a statement, however, larger clinical trials are needed. Through a number of mechanisms including mitigating inflammation, sealing the intestinal epithelium, and affecting metabolism, probiotics may have a beneficial effect on general health and slow down the pathogenesis of many diseases, including those affecting the cardiovascular system. This article contains a review of current discoveries on the role of probiotics in the prevention and support of CVD treatment.

Production of Organic Acid and Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) from Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolate on Oligosaccharide Media

The growth of microorganisms in food, one of which is lactic acid bacteria (LAB), can produce metabolites beneficial to health. It is essential to study the results of LAB metabolism to improve the quality of a functional food product. This study aimed to evaluate the isolates Lactobacillus acidophilus FNCC 0051 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus R23 to metabolize oligosaccharides as a carbon source so that the final fermentation product can benefit health especially in lowering cholesterol. In vitro testing was carried out on MRS media with or without oligosaccharides, either singly or in a combination consisting of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin (IN), inulin hydrolyzate (HI), or their combination as prebiotics by adding 0.3 % oxbile (bile salt) and inoculated with 1% v/v LAB isolate culture and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The results showed that the main product of oligosaccharide metabolism by L. acidophilus FNCC 0051 and L. rhamnosus R23 produced several organic acids (lactic acid), including short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid). The single and combined carbon sources affected the proportion of lactic acid and acetic acid produced by L. acidophilus FNCC0051 (p<0.05). However, they did not affect the proportions of propionic acid and butyric acid. While in L. rhamnosus R23 (p<0.05), the presence of a single carbon source significantly affected the proportions of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, while the combination of oligosaccharides affected the proportions of lactic acid and butyric acid produced. SCFA is the main product of prebiotic metabolism, but the characteristics of the acid produced have not been identified. The fermentation pattern is thought to be related to molecular weight, chain length, and oligosaccharide structure. Short-chain molecules, such as FOS generally ferment more rapidly than long-chain molecules such as inulin. The results of this study indicate that both isolates can be used as probiotics in the development of symbiotic products with the addition of oligosaccharides, which have a physiological effect in lowering cholesterol levels.

Rhizospheric Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) strains exhibit bile salt hydrolysis, hypocholestrolemic and probiotic capabilities in vitro

Lactobacillus plantarum (renamed as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) has been isolated from many sources but very rarely from rhizospheric soil. This is the first report on isolation and assessment of probiotic capabilities of L. plantarum strains isolated from rhizospheric soil. The isolates were confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and named as NS14, NS16 and NGG. All the isolates were evaluated for bile salt hydrolysis, hypocholestrolemic potential and probiotic attributes. Our results indicated that all the strains harboured bsh and showed in vitro cholesterol assimilation capabilities which increased when bile salts were also present in the culture medium. Also, all the strains remained viable at high temperatures and in the presence of NaCl, lysozyme, simulated gastric juice, bile salts and, exhibited auto- and co-aggregation capabilities. Additionally, L. plantarum strain NS14 survived in the presence of phenols, acidic environment (pH 2-3) and was resistant to many clinically relevant antibiotics. Since, L. plantarum NS14 exhibited most of the desirable and essential characteristics of a probiotic it should be further investigated as a potent probiotic with an additional benefit as a hypocholesterolemic biotherapeutic. Moreover, rhizosphere can be explored as a useful ecological niche for isolating microorganisms with biotechnological and probiotic potential.

Rhizospheric Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) strains exhibit bile salt hydrolysis, hypocholestrolemic and probiotic capabilities in vitro

Lactobacillus plantarum (renamed as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) has been isolated from many sources but very rarely from rhizospheric soil. This is the first report on isolation and assessment of probiotic capabilities of L. plantarum strains isolated from rhizospheric soil. The isolates were confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and named as NS14, NS16 and NGG. All the isolates were evaluated for bile salt hydrolysis, hypocholestrolemic potential and probiotic attributes. Our results indicated that all the strains harboured bsh and showed in vitro cholesterol assimilation capabilities which increased when bile salts were also present in the culture medium. Also, all the strains remained viable at high temperatures and in the presence of NaCl, lysozyme, simulated gastric juice, bile salts and, exhibited auto- and co-aggregation capabilities. Additionally, L. plantarum strain NS14 survived in the presence of phenols, acidic environment (pH 2–3) and was resistant to many clinically relevant antibiotics. Since, L. plantarum NS14 exhibited most of the desirable and essential characteristics of a probiotic it should be further investigated as a potent probiotic with an additional benefit as a hypocholesterolemic biotherapeutic. Moreover, rhizosphere can be explored as a useful ecological niche for isolating microorganisms with biotechnological and probiotic potential.

Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Obesity Index and Metabolic Biomarkers in Thai Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The cluster of metabolic disorders includes obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Evolving proofs suggest an essential role of microbiota in human health and disease, including digestion, energy and glucose metabolism, immunomodulation, and brain function. The frequency of overweight is increasing, and the main causes for this are highly processed foods and less active lifestyles. Research is underway to unravel the probable relationship between obesity and intestinal microbiota. Here, we propose a method to understand and elucidate the synergistic function of prebiotics and probiotics in treating obesity. The biomarkers of obesity, such as cholesterol, gut permeability, oxidative stress, bacterial toxins, cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids, were analyzed in Thai obese individuals after being supplemented with a synbiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide. The results reveal that the supplementation of synbiotics significantly altered the obesity-associated biomarkers in an appositive way. Further studies are warranted to use synbiotics as an adjuvant therapy for the management of obesity-related health issues.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on anthropometric and metabolic characteristics in adults with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

AIMS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) documenting the effectiveness of supplementation with pro-/synbiotics versus placebo controls on anthropometric and metabolic (glucoregulatory status, lipid profile) indices in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS

Databases of MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched through March 2020 to identify eligible RCTs evaluating the effects of pro-/synbiotic consumption in adults (≥18 years) with MetS. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Ten eligible publications (9 RCTs, n = 344 participants) were included. Supplementation with pro-/synbiotics reduced total cholesterol (TC) in adults with MetS versus placebo (MD: -6.66 mg/dL, 95% CI: -13.25 to -0.07, P = 0.04, I² = 28.8%, n = 7), without affecting weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, insulin, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pro-/synbiotic consumption may be beneficial in reducing TC levels in adults with MetS. However, our observations do not support the effectiveness of pro-/synbiotics consumption on other anthropometric or metabolic outcomes of MetS. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings.

Selection and Characterization of Probiotic Bacteria Exhibiting Antiadipogenic Potential in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Abnormal adipocyte growth, distinguished by an increase in cell numbers and cellular differentiation, is regarded as a major pathological characteristic of obesity. Thus, inhibition of adipogenic differentiation in adipocytes could prevent obesity. Recently, certain probiotic stains have been reported to regulate lipid metabolism in vitro and/or in vivo. In this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate basic probiotic properties and potential antiobesity characteristics of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were prescreened for their cholesterol-lowering activity, antioxidant activity, and survival at low pH and in a solution containing bile salts. These six strains were investigated for antiadipogenic activity by employing 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with selected strains during the differentiation process. Lactobacillus johnsonii 3121 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 86 were found to be more capable of reducing triglyceride and lipid accumulation, as compared to control group, which are fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These strains also inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the adipogenic transcription factor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 could potentially act as probiotic bacteria and prevent fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis-related markers.

Diverse conditions contribute to the cholesterol-lowering ability of different Lactobacillus plantarum strains

It has been reported that Lactobacillus can remove cholesterol and thus might play an important role in lowering cholesterol in humans, but the underlying mechanism is still controversial. To confirm whether different strains have different cholesterol-lowering mechanisms, we explored the cholesterol-lowering abilities of different Lactobacillus plantarum strains, and the factors influencing their abilities. We found that all nine strains reduced the cholesterol concentration to some extent, but there were significant differences among them. In MRS broth, L. plantarum AR113 and AR171 showed the greatest cholesterol-lowering abilities of 27.89% and 19.90%, respectively, but AR501 and AR300 only showed reductions of 0.34% and 0.91%, respectively. Upon addition of 0.1% ox bile, the cholesterol-removal capability of most strains increased. L. plantarum AR511 showed the highest cholesterol removal rate, which increased from 5.8% to 37.14%, i.e., by a factor of approximately 6.4, but there was no significant change in the cholesterol removal rate of AR171. These results suggested that the effect of ox bile on the cholesterol-lowering ability was strain-specific. Except for the strains AR171, AR237 and AR495, the cholesterol-removal ability of the remaining six strains was positively correlated with the amount of free bile acid released. The addition of a bile salt hydrolase inhibitor had some effect on the cholesterol-removal ability of the six strains of bacteria other than AR171, AR237 and AR495, but little influence on the latter three. The effect of BSH was strain-specific. Similarly, the effect of pH was also strain-specific. Taken together, these results suggest that different strains of L. plantarum have different cholesterol-lowering capacities and different influencing factors. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the exact mechanism by which different strains lower cholesterol.

Assimilation of Cholesterol by Monascus purpureus

Monascus purpureus, a filamentous fungus known for its fermentation of red yeast rice, produces the metabolite monacolin K used in statin drugs to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. In this study, we show that active cultures of M. purpureus CBS 109.07, independent of secondary metabolites, use the mechanism of cholesterol assimilation to lower cholesterol in vitro. We describe collection, extraction, and gas chromatography-flame ionized detection (GC-FID) methods to quantify the levels of cholesterol remaining after incubation of M. purpureus CBS 109.07 with exogenous cholesterol. Our findings demonstrate that active growing M. purpureus CBS 109.07 can assimilate cholesterol, removing 36.38% of cholesterol after 48 h of incubation at 37 °C. The removal of cholesterol by resting or dead M. purpureus CBS 109.07 was not significant, with cholesterol reduction ranging from 2.75-9.27% throughout a 72 h incubation. Cholesterol was also not shown to be catabolized as a carbon source. Resting cultures transferred from buffer to growth media were able to reactivate, and increases in cholesterol assimilation and growth were observed. In growing and resting phases at 24 and 72 h, the production of the mycotoxin citrinin was quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and found to be below the limit of detection. The results indicate that M. purpureus CBS 109.07 can reduce cholesterol content in vitro and may have a potential application in probiotics.

Probiotic Enterococcus faecalis AG5 effectively assimilates cholesterol and produces fatty acids including propionate

Probiotics are known for their health-promoting abilities through the production of various metabolites, and also benefits are membrane associated. Probiotic Enterococcus faecalis AG5 has been previously assessed for its probiotic properties and this study further strengthens that claim. Strain AG5 was inoculated with 0.3% sodium glychocholate (glycine conjugated) and bile salt mixture for different time periods. The percentage assimilation of cholesterol ranged from 14% to 33.1% in the bile salt mixture, but was slightly higher, ranging from 16.55% to 53.1%, in sodium thioglycocholate alone. Similarly, the bile salt hydrolysis activity was measured in terms of cholic acid release at different intervals. The overall range of cholic acid released ranged from 70.4 to 479 µg/mL. Fatty acid production is also an important criterion for a probiotic selection and it was found that the strain produced several long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) such as tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and bis(6-methylheptyl) phthalate. Besides LCFA, AG5 produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as propionic acid, which was estimated comparing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry with standard SCFA. Thus the ability of deconjugation of bile salt and SCFA production is a value-added property of probiotic AG5, with the promise of being beneficial for human health.

Effect of heat-killed Streptococcus thermophilus on type 2 diabetes rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The link between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been addressed by numerous studies. Streptococcus thermophilus from fermented milk products, has been used as a probiotic in previous research. However, whether heat-killed S. thermophilus can improve the glycemic parameters of diabetic rats remains unanswered. In this study, we evaluated the effect of heat-killed S. thermophilus on T2D model rats and the potential mechanisms of the effect.

METHODS

Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used to generate a diabetic rat model induced by feeding a high-fat diet. Heat-killed S. thermophilus were orally administered to normal and diabetic rats for 12 weeks. Intestinal microbiota analysis, histology analysis, oral glucose tolerance test and measurement of inflammatory factors were performed.

RESULTS

We found that heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment reduced fasting blood glucose levels and alleviated glucose intolerance and total cholesterol in diabetic ZDF rats. Additionally, heat-killed S. thermophilus increased the interleukin 10 while reducing the levels of lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in diabetic ZDF rats. The heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment can normalize the structure of the intestinal and colon mucosal layer of diabetic rats. The characteristics of the gut microbiota in heat-killed S. thermophilus-treated and control rats were similar. At the genus level, the abundances of beneficial bacteria, including Ruminococcaceae, Veillonella, Coprococcus, and Bamesiella, were all significantly elevated by heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment in ZDF diabetic rats.

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the hypothesis that treatment with heat-killed S. thermophilus could effectively improve glycemic parameters in T2D model rats. In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the protection maybe include changing the composition of gut microbiota, reinforcing the intestinal epithelial barrier and the immunity of the intestinal mucosa, decreasing the level of inflammation, and then reducing the insulin resistance.

In Vitro Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Indonesian Kefir Grains as Probiotics with Cholesterol-Lowering Effect

Indonesian kefir grains are potential sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that may act as probiotics with specific functional properties. In this study we explored the potential of the probiotic and cholesterol-lowering effect of LAB isolated from Indonesian kefir grains obtained from Bogor, Bandung, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta. The results revealed that 10 isolates showed considerable survivability at low pH and bile salt with total cell reduction of ~3 log colony-forming units per milliliter after exposure to pH 2.5 and 0.5% (w/v) bile salt for 1 and 3 h, respectively. All strains exhibited strong antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria and were sensitive to a wide spectrum of antibiotics but exhibited weak bile salt hydrolase activity. Identification based on 16S RNA suggested that nine isolates were Lactobacillus kefiri and one was Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The ability of the isolates to reduce cholesterol from the media varied, ranging from 22.08% to 68.75% with the highest reduction shown by L. kefiri JK17. The ability to remove cholesterol from the media decreased greatly in resting and dead cells, ranging from 14.58% to 22.08% in resting cells and from 7.89% to 18.17% in dead cells. It can be concluded that Indonesian kefir grains contain LAB potentially acting as probiotics capable of reducing cholesterol. The cholesterol-lowering effect especially occurs when the cells are metabolically active.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Water-Mediated Cholesterol Capture within an Open-Ended Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube

The excess concentration of cholesterol in the bloodstream can be brought down to a safer level by utilizing a potential cholesterol-binding agent such as a carbon nanotube (CNT). Here, we have probed solvent-mediated interactions between cholesterol and CNT by performing molecular dynamics simulations and potential-of-mean force (PMF) calculations. Simulations predict favorable interactions between water-mediated cholesterol and CNT owing to strong mutual interactions between them, whereas water plays an opposing role in the association. The breakdown of PMF into its enthalpic and entropic contributions indicates that contrary to traditional entropy-driven hydrophobic association, the cholesterol encapsulation within a CNT is primarily driven by enthalpy.

Biological Activities of Lactose-Based Prebiotics and Symbiosis with Probiotics on Controlling Osteoporosis, Blood-Lipid and Glucose Levels

Lactose-based prebiotics are synthesized by enzymatic- or microbial- biotransformation of lactose and have unique functional values. In this comprehensive review article, the biochemical mechanisms of controlling osteoporosis, blood-lipid, and glucose levels by lactose-based prebiotics and symbiosis with probiotics are reported along with the results of clinical investigations. Interaction between lactose-based prebiotics and probiotics reduces osteoporosis by (a) transforming insoluble inorganic salts to soluble and increasing their absorption to gut wall; (b) maintaining and protecting mineral absorption surface in the intestine; (c) increasing the expression of calcium-binding proteins in the gut wall; (d) remodeling osteoclasts and osteoblasts formation; (e) releasing bone modulating factors; and (f) degrading mineral complexing phytic acid. Lactose-based prebiotics with probiotics control lipid level in the bloodstream and tissue by (a) suppressing the expressions of lipogenic- genes and enzymes; (b) oxidizing fatty acids in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue; (c) binding cholesterol with cell membrane of probiotics and subsequent assimilation by probiotics; (d) enzymatic-transformations of bile acids; and (e) converting cholesterol to coprostanol and its defecation. Symbiosis of lactose-based prebiotics with probiotics affect plasma glucose level by (a) increasing the synthesis of gut hormones plasma peptide-YY, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2 from entero-endocrine L-cells; (b) altering glucose assimilation and metabolism; (c) suppressing systematic inflammation; (d) reducing oxidative stress; and (e) producing amino acids. Clinical investigations show that lactose-based prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide improves mineral absorption and reduces hyperlipidemia. Another lactose-based prebiotic, lactulose, improves mineral absorption, and reduces hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. It is expected that this review article will be of benefit to food technologists and medical practitioners.

Microbial impact on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism: current status and future prospects

Recently, the gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial factor that influences cholesterol metabolism. Ever since, significant interest has been shown in investigating these host-microbiome interactions to uncover microbiome-mediated functions on cholesterol and bile acid (BA) metabolism. Indeed, changes in gut microbiota composition and, hence, its derived metabolites have been previously reported to subsequently impact the metabolic processes and have been linked to several diseases. In this context, associations between a disrupted gut microbiome, impaired BA metabolism, and cholesterol dysregulation have been highlighted. Extensive advances in metagenomic and metabolomic studies in this field have allowed us to further our understanding of the role of intestinal bacteria in metabolic health and disease. However, only a few have provided mechanistic insights into their impact on cholesterol metabolism. Identifying the myriad functions and interactions of these bacteria to maintain cholesterol homeostasis remain an important challenge in such a field of research. In this review, we discuss the impact of gut microbiota on cholesterol metabolism, its association with disease settings, and the potential of modulating gut microbiota as a promising therapeutic target to lower hypercholesterolemia.

Lactic acid bacteria with cholesterol-lowering properties for dairy applications: In vitro and in situ activity

Cholesterol-lowering activity is one of the most promising properties of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic characteristics. In the present study, 58 potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria were tested for their ability to survive in vitro digestion and reduce cholesterol in a medium containing cholesterol and bile acids. The best-performing strains (Lactobacillus casei VC199, Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei SE160 and VC213, Lactobacillus plantarum VS166 and VS513, Enterococcus faecium VC223, and Enterococcus lactis BT161) resulted in a 42 to 55% reduction of the cholesterol level in broth and were further tested in cheese manufacture. The cholesterol content in all the cheeses decreased with ripening. All the strains were present in the cheese at levels higher than 10⁷ cfu/g until 60 d of ripening, the highest reductions (up to 23%) being obtained when Lb. paracasei ssp. paracasei VC213 and E. lactis BT161 were added during the cheese-making. The adjunct cultures had no negative effect on the sensory characteristics of the cheese. Thus, these strains with proven in vitro properties are good candidates for novel probiotic-containing formulations and could be used to functionalize foods such as dairy fermented products.

Dietary Supplements and Cardiovascular Diseases

The market of nutritional supplements is expected to expand over 6%/year through 2018 due to growing interest in personal health, aging population, and promising personalized care products. The most used dietary supplements are fish oil, multivitamins, Vitamin D, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in this order, while probiotics is the fastest growing supplement. In the U.S., over 68% of the population use dietary supplements regularly. On the other hand, in the developed countries, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death and morbidity from the 1900s. The effects of most dietary supplements on cardiovascular risk and CVD have been studied for a long time. However, despite several studies explored the association of the various supplements to the cardiovascular risk, there is still a lack of consensus. Multivitamin supplementation has been advocated to reduce cardiovascular events; Vitamin D levels have been associated with the occurrence of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation; CoQ10 deficiency has been associated with myocardial dysfunction and with statin myopathy; probiotoics has been suggested to lower both blood pressure and circulating lipids. However, the study of the effects of dietary supplementations is not straightforward, since people assuming dietary supplements generally have a healthier diet and lifestyle, and randomized studies are rarely performed. In this review, we will summarize the findings linking dietary supplements to CVD with a special focus on novel insights.

Probiotics and Their Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Role for Cancer, High Serum Cholesterol, and Allergic and HIV Diseases

The potential health benefits of probiotics have long been elucidated since Metchnikoff and his coworkers postulated the association of probiotic consumption on human's health and longevity. Since then, many scientific findings and research have further established the correlation of probiotic and gut-associated diseases such as irritable bowel disease and chronic and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, the beneficial impact of probiotic is not limited to the gut-associated diseases alone, but also in different acute and chronic infectious diseases. This is due to the fact that probiotics are able to modify the intestinal microbial ecosystem, enhance the gut barrier function, provide competitive adherence to the mucosa and epithelium, produce antimicrobial substances, and modulate the immune activity by enhancing the innate and adaptive immune response. Nevertheless, the current literature with respect to the association of probiotic and cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases are still scarce and controversial. Therefore, in the present work, we reviewed the potential preventive and therapeutic role of probiotics for cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases as well as providing its possible mechanism of actions.

Importance of microbial defence systems to bile salts and mechanisms of serum cholesterol reduction

An important feature of the intestinal microbiota, particularly in the case of administered probiotic microorganisms, is their resistance to conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly tolerance to and growth in the presence of bile salts. Bacteria can use several defence mechanisms against bile, including special transport mechanisms, the synthesis of various types of surface proteins and fatty acids or the production of exopolysaccharides. The ability to enzymatically hydrolyse bile salts occurs in a variety of bacteria. Choloylglycine hydrolase (EC 3.5.1.24), a bile salt hydrolase, is a constitutive intracellular enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of an amide bond between glycine or taurine and the steroid nucleus of bile acids. Its presence was demonstrated in specific microorganisms from several bacterial genera (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium spp., Bacteroides spp.). Occurrence and gene arrangement encoding this enzyme are highly variable in probiotic microorganisms. Bile salt hydrolase activity may provide the possibility to use the released amino acids by bacteria as sources of carbon and nitrogen, to facilitate detoxification of bile or to support the incorporation of cholesterol into the cell wall. Deconjugation of bile salts may be directly related to a lowering of serum cholesterol levels, from which conjugated bile salts are synthesized de novo. Furthermore, the ability of microorganisms to assimilate or to bind ingested cholesterol to the cell wall or to eliminate it by co-precipitation with released cholic acid was also documented. Some intestinal microflora produce cholesterol reductase that catalyses the conversion of cholesterol to insoluble coprostanol, which is subsequently excreted in faeces, thereby also reducing the amount of exogenous cholesterol.

An in vivo assessment of the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 in normal to mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the major causes of death and disability in industrialised countries, with elevated blood cholesterol an established risk factor. Total plasma cholesterol reduction in populations suffering from primary hypercholesterolemia may lower CHD incidence. This study investigated the cholesterol reducing capacity of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402, a strain selected for its high bile salt hydrolase activity, in 49 normal to mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults. Primary efficacy outcomes included effect on blood lipids (total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL-C), high density lipoproteins (HDL-C) and triacylgycerides (TAG), inflammatory biomarkers and occurrence/severity of gastrointestinal side effects to establish safety and tolerance of the intervention. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure, immune biomarkers, gut microbiota characterisation and metabonome changes. The study was run in a parallel, double blind, placebo controlled, randomised design in which the active group ingested 2x10⁹ CFU encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 twice daily. Daily ingestion of the active treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in LDL-C in volunteers with baseline TC<5mM during the 0–12 week period (13.9%, P = 0.030), a significant reduction in TC in volunteers with baseline TC≥6mM in the 0–6 week period (37.6%, P = 0.045), a significant decrease in TAG (53.9% P = 0.030) and an increase in HDL-C (14.7%, P = 0.007) in the over 60 years population in the 6–12 week period. A statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure was also observed across the active study group in the 6-12-week period (6.6%, P = 0.003). No impact on gastrointestinal function and side effects was observed during the study. Similar to blood and urine metabonomic analyses, faecal metagenomics did not reveal significant changes upon active or placebo intake. The results of this study suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 is a well-tolerated, natural probiotic, that may be used as an alternative or supplement to existing treatments to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Trial registration: Clinical trials.gov NCT03263104

Screening and characterization of lactic acid bacterial strains that produce fermented milk and reduce cholesterol levels

OBJECTIVE

To screen for and characterize lactic acid bacteria strains with the ability to produce fermented milk and reduce cholesterol levels.

METHODS

The strains were isolated from traditional fermented milk in China. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cholesterol-reduction were used to identify and verify strains of interest. Characteristics were analyzed using spectrophotometry and plate counting assays.

RESULTS

The isolate HLX37 consistently produced fermented milk with strong cholesterol-reducing properties was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (accession number: KR105940) and was thus selected for further study. The cholesterol reduction by strain HLX37 was 45.84%. The isolates were acid-tolerant at pH 2.5 and bile-tolerant at 0.5% (w/v) in simulated gastric juice (pH 2.5) for 2h and in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 8.0) for 3h. The auto-aggregation rate increased to 87.74% after 24h, while the co-aggregation with Escherichia coli DH5 was 27.76%. Strain HLX37 was intrinsically resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin, tobramycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, vancomycin and amikacin. Compared with rats in the model hyperlipidemia group, the total cholesterol content in the serum and the liver as well as the atherogenic index of rats in the viable fermented milk group significantly decreased by 23.33%, 32.37% and 40.23%, respectively. Fewer fat vacuoles and other lesions in liver tissue were present in both the inactivated and viable fermented milk groups compared to the model group.

CONCLUSION

These studies indicate that strain HLX37 of L. plantarum demonstrates probiotic potential, potential for use as a candidate for commercial use for promoting health.

Structures of cell-wall glycopolymers of Lactococcus lactis BIM B-1024

Glycopolymers of two types were isolated from the cell wall of Lactococcus lactis BIM B-1024 by stepwise extraction with cold and hot 10% CCl3CO2H and separated by anion-exchange gel chromatography. The following structures of the glycopolymers were established by sugar analysis, dephosphorylation with 48% HF, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and ESI-MS:

β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→6)┐

→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ PSI

β-D-Glcp-(1→3)┐

→60-α-D-GalpNAc-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→5)-Rib-ol-1-P-(O→ PSII

β-D-Glcp-(1→4)┘

Polysaccharides with the same or similar structures to PSI have been found earlier in various Lactobacillus species, whereas, to our knowledge, the structure of PSII is new.

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis on the growth performance and expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis

Background

Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by Clostridium perfringens, has cost the poultry industry $2 billion in losses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Bacillus licheniformis as dietary supplement on the growth, serum antioxidant status, and expression of lipid-metabolism genes of broiler chickens with C. perfringens-induced NE.

Methods

A total of 240 one-day-old broilers were randomly grouped into four: a negative control, an NE experimental model (PC), chickens fed a diet supplemented with 30 % of fishmeal from day 14 onwards and challenged with coccidiosis vaccine (FC), and NE group supplied with feed containing 1.0 × 10⁶ CFU/g B. licheniformis (BL).

Results

Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, serum antioxidant status, and lipid-metabolism-gene expression were analyzed. In the PC group, FCR increased significantly whereas serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased compared with NC group. Dietary B. licheniformis supplementation improved FCR and oxidative stress in experimental avian NE. Using Bacillus licheniformis as a direct-fed microbial (DFM) could also significantly upregulate catabolism-related genes, namely, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, in livers and changed the expression of lipid-anabolism genes.

Conclusion

These results suggested that dietary B. licheniformis supplementation can enhance growth and antioxidant ability, as well as change the expression of genes related to fatty-acid synthesis and oxidation in the livers of NE-infected broilers.