Probiotics--interactions with bile acids and impact on cholesterol metabolism

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2012 Dec;168(7):1880-95. doi: 10.1007/s12010-012-9904-4. Epub 2012 Oct 4.

Abstract

The use of probiotics, alone or in interaction with bile acids, is a modern strategy in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Numerous mechanisms for hypocholesterolemic effect of probiotics have been hypothesized, based mostly on in vitro evidence. Interaction with bile acids through reaction of deconjugation catalyzed by bile salt hydrolase enzymes (BSH) is considered as the main mechanism of cholesterol-lowering effects of probiotic bacteria, but it has been reported that microbial BSH activity could be potentially detrimental to the human host. There are several approaches for prevention of possible side effects associated with BSH activity, which at the same time increase the viability of probiotics in the intestines and also in food matrices. The aim of our study was to summarize present knowledge of probiotics-bile acids interactions, with special reference to cholesterol-lowering mechanisms of probiotics, and to report novel biotechnological approaches for increasing the pharmacological benefits of probiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / metabolism*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Probiotics / adverse effects
  • Probiotics / metabolism*
  • Probiotics / pharmacology
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cholesterol