Probiotic Modulation of Lipid Metabolism
Summary
Probiotic modulation of lipid metabolism encompasses the capacity of selected live microorganisms to influence host lipid homeostasis through multiple complementary mechanisms. Key among these are the deconjugation of bile acids via bile salt hydrolase activity, which may reduce enterohepatic recycling of cholesterol; direct assimilation of cholesterol by microbial cells; generation of short-chain fatty acids that regulate hepatic lipid synthesis and peripheral lipolysis; and modulation of gut barrier integrity and systemic inflammatory tone. Strain-specific actions underpin variation in hypocholesterolaemic efficacy, with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species most frequently studied. Human and animal experiments have demonstrated reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alterations in apolipoprotein profiles, and improved antioxidant capacity of lipoproteins. Such metabolic shifts hold promise for adjunctive strategies in managing hypercholesterolaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk. Translation into functional foods or nutraceuticals requires rigorous clinical validation, precise dosing regimens and consideration of individual microbiome landscapes to achieve consistent global health impact.
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Probiotic Modulation of Lipid Metabolism publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in probiotic modulation of lipid metabolism across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bile salt hydrolase (BSH): Enzyme produced by some probiotic strains that deconjugates bile acids, reducing cholesterol reabsorption.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Primary structural protein of low-density lipoproteins responsible for lipid transport in blood.
Lipoprotein: Complex of lipids and proteins that transports cholesterol and triglycerides through the bloodstream.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): Metabolic by-products of bacterial fermentation of dietary fibres, which modulate lipid metabolism and inflammation.
Bile acids: Cholesterol-derived molecules that facilitate lipid digestion and act as signalling mediators in metabolic regulation.
References
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains KABP011, KABP012, and KABP013 modulate bile acids and cholesterol metabolism in humans. Cardiovascular Research (2024).
- The Role of Gut Microbiota on Cholesterol Metabolism in Atherosclerosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
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