Effect of a probiotic bacteria and yeast mixture on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in triton X-100-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Osilo, Chidmma; Ajogwu, Tobechukwu M.C.; Nwiyi, Ikechukwu U; Ohuche, Josephine C; Ozoh, Chinwendu N; Ukpaka, Chiderah J; Innocent, Chidera P

doi:10.48307/bcbn.2025.555845.1038

Effect of a probiotic bacteria and yeast mixture on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in triton X-100-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Chidmma Osilo ¹

Tobechukwu M.C. Ajogwu ²

Ikechukwu U Nwiyi ³

Josephine C Ohuche ²

Chinwendu N Ozoh ²

Chiderah J Ukpaka ²

Chidera P Innocent ²

¹ Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria AND Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

² Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

³ Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria AND Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

10.48307/bcbn.2025.555845.1038

Abstract

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is implicated in numerous other metabolic disorders. Several studies have demonstrated that probiotic supplementation can improve lipid metabolism by reducing serum lipid concentrations and lowering cholesterol levels.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a probiotic mixture (PM) comprising the bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii on the serum lipid profile, gut microbiota composition, and associated metabolic parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats.
Methods: Hypercholesterolemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of Triton X-100 combined with a high-fat animal diet over two weeks. Rats were assigned to four groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet with Triton X-100 (HFD), HFD with low-dose probiotic mixture (HFD+PWL), and HFD with high-dose probiotic mixture (HFD+PWH). Probiotic doses were 30 mg/kg body weight (low) and 40 mg/kg body weight (high). Body weight, blood glucose levels, serum lipid profiles, and gut microbiota composition were assessed.
Results: Triton X-100 and high-fat diet significantly increased serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.05), with a non-significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Administration of the probiotic mixture (HFD + PWL) significantly reduced TC and LDL-C to 155.11±19.1 mg/dL and 89.25±15.47 mg/dL, respectively, from 226.29±3.47 mg/dL (TC) and 125.16±14.25 mg/dL (LDL-C) in the HFD group (p<0.05). TG levels were most effectively reduced by HFD+PWH to 199.58 ± 19.17 mg/dL compared to 342.92 ± 18.76 mg/dL in the HFD group. HDL-C increased to 62.89±8.39 mg/dL in HFD+PWH versus 36.22 ± 8.88 mg/dL in HFD. The probiotic mixture also enhanced yeast and lactic acid bacteria counts while reducing coliform populations from 4.8 ± 0.89×10² and 3.53±1.46 × 10² CFU/mL in the stomach and intestine, respectively (HFD), to 1.70±0.5 × 10² and 1.80±0.36 × 10² CFU/mL in HFD+PWH.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that the probiotic mixture of L. rhamnosus yoba and S. boulardii effectively modulates lipid metabolism and gut microbiota, supporting its potential use as a dietary supplement for managing hypercholesterolemia.

Keywords

Gut microbiota

Hypercholesterolemia

Lipid profile

Probiotics

Subjects