Effects Of Probiotics On Cholesterol Metabolism: Biochemical Mechanisms And Clinical Potential

Authors : Mehmet Çavdar, Mahir Arslan, Meliha Çavdar
Pages : 242-248
Doi:10.51972/tfsd.1780302
View : 30 | Download : 49
Publication Date : 2025-09-30
Article Type : Review Paper
Abstract :In recent years, the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has accelerated the search for natural and effective strategies to regulate cholesterol metabolism. In this context, the hypocholesterolemic potential of probiotic microorganisms has attracted growing scientific attention. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. They are primarily composed of species from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. Numerous studies have shown that probiotic strains can influence cholesterol metabolism through various biochemical mechanisms. These include bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity for bile salt deconjugation, cholesterol assimilation and degradation, precipitation with secondary bile acids, binding to the microbial cell wall or membrane, and the effects of short-chain fatty acids produced during prebiotic fermentation. Several studies have reported that specific strains—particularly Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum—can effectively exert these effects. However, as most mechanisms have been investigated under in vitro conditions, their actual efficacy under physiological (in vivo) settings may be limited. This review examines the impact of probiotics on cholesterol metabolism in detail and analyzes the relevant mechanisms based on findings in the literature. The current evidence suggests that probiotics can exert cholesterol-lowering effects in a strain-specific manner. Nevertheless, further controlled and long-term clinical studies are needed to confirm these effects and support their potential role in therapeutic administrations.
Keywords : Probiyotikler, Kolesterol metabolizması, Safra tuzu hidrolaz (BSH), Hipokolesterolemi

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