The cholesterol lowering efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 in hypercholesterolemic adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, pilot human intervention study

Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC13110402 is a probiotic, selected for its high bile salt hydrolase and cholesterol reducing activity. This parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot study, investigated the cholesterol reducing capacity of L. plantarum ECGC13110402 in 16 hypercholesterolemic adults. Participants ingested 4 ×109 CFU encapsulated ECGC13110402 (active; n=8) or placebo (n=8), once daily, over 6 weeks, followed by a 3-week washout. Fasting blood samples were collected for blood lipid, liver function, and vitamin D analysis. After 6 weeks of L. plantarum ECGC 13110402 daily intake, biologically and statistically significant reductions were noted in TC by an average 34.6% (p=0.001), LDL-C by 28.4% (p=0.03), non-HDL-C by 17.6% (p=0.001) and apoB by 28.6% (p=0.008) compared to the placebo. No changes were observed in liver function biomarkers and vitamin D and no adverse effects were noted throughout the study. The findings of this study suggest that L. plantarum ECGC 13110402 can safely improve lipid profiles in dyslipidaemic individuals.