Effect of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum LIP-1 on cholesterol metabolism in hyperlipidaemic rats

Background: Previous studies have shown that Lactobacillus plantarum LIP-1 has obvious hypolipidemic effect, and microencapsulated probiotics can ensure the strains live through the gastrointestinal tract, although there has been much research on both preparation and assessment methods for probiotics microcapsules, most assessments are made in vitro and few are validated in vivo. In this study, the protective effect of microencapsulation and the possible hypolipidaemic mechanisms of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum LIP-1 (hereafter LIP-1) were evaluated in rats. Methods: Treatments included rats fed on: normal diet, high-fat diet, high-fat diet with an intragastric supplement of either non-microencapsulated LIP-1 cells (NME LIP-1) or microencapsulated LIP-1 (ME LIP-1). Lipid metabolism indicators were measured during the experiment and following euthanasia. Results: Microencapsulation increased survival and colonization of LIP-1 in the colon. ME LIP-1 was superior to NME LIP-1 in reducing cholesterol. The mechanisms behind the hypolipidemic effect exerted by LIP-1 are possibly due to: promoting the excretion of cholesterol, improving antioxygenic potentials, enhancing recovery from the injury in the liver and intestinal mucosa, promoting the generation of SCFAs, and improving lipid metabolism. Conclusions: This study confirms the role of ME LIP-1 in the prevention and cure of hyperlipidemia and provides theoretical support for the probiotics to enter clinical use. Keywords: Microencapsulated LIP-1; non-microencapsulated LIP-1 cells; hypolipidaemic effect; lipid metabolism; antioxidative activity