Cholesterol assimilation

Cholesterol assimilation refers to the uptake and incorporation of cholesterol into the cellular membranes of certain probiotic bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, primarily within the human gastrointestinal tract[2][3]. This biological process is studied for its potential to reduce host cholesterol absorption and thus lower blood cholesterol levels. Probiotics may lower cholesterol by assimilating it into their membranes, converting it via reduction or isomerization pathways into coprostanol (which is poorly absorbed), deconjugating bile acids (increasing cholesterol excretion), or downregulating host cholesterol biosynthesis[2][3]. However, cholesterol assimilation itself is not a discrete molecular entity nor a conventional drug target.

Incorporation of cholesterol into bacterial membranes, conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol, and reduction of cholesterol absorption by the host.