Cholesterol assimilation and metabolism (Lactoplantibacillus plantarum CECT7527)

Cholesterol assimilation and metabolism by Lactoplantibacillus plantarum CECT7527 is a probiotic-driven metabolic process used to manage hypercholesterolemia. The strain CECT7527 exerts its effects primarily through the expression of bile salt hydrolase (BSH), an enzyme that deconjugates bile salts in the intestine, rendering them less soluble and increasing their fecal excretion (Fuentes et al., 2013, British Journal of Nutrition). This depletion of the bile acid pool triggers the liver to upregulate the synthesis of new bile acids from systemic cholesterol, thereby lowering circulating LDL levels. Furthermore, the strain is capable of direct cholesterol assimilation, where cholesterol is incorporated into the bacterial cell membrane or adsorbed onto the cell surface, preventing its absorption by the host (Espadaler et al., 2015). Clinical trials of the AB-Life probiotic blend, which contains this strain, have shown significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects. While generally recognized as safe (GRAS), the use of live biotherapeutics requires consideration of the host's immune status and the potential for antibiotic resistance gene transfer.

Other names

Bile salt hydrolase activityL. plantarum CECT7527 cholesterol metabolismProbiotic cholesterol assimilationAB-Life cholesterol metabolism

Reduction of serum cholesterol via bile salt hydrolase (BSH) mediated deconjugation of bile acids and direct cellular assimilation of cholesterol.