Abstract
In vitro, animal and clinical studies have reported the effects of probiotics in the improvement of hypercholesterolemics. Several mechanisms of cholesterol reduction by probiotics have been suggested including removal of cholesterol by assimilation or conjugation with the cell surface, enzymatic deconjugation of bile acids, and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by short-chain fat acids produced by probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Many clinical trials have shown the efficacy of probiotics in the improvement of serum lipid levels, especially those of bifidobacteria or lactobacilli with bile salt hydrolyzing activity, although there are also several reports of no effect. Recent studies have highlighted the role of gut microbiota in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Progress in evaluating the role of probiotics and microbiota in metabolic disorders is garnering much attention.
