Effects of Lactobacillus on hyperlipidemia in high-fat diet-induced mouse model

Introduction Hyperlipidemia refers to a group of lipid metabolism disorders characterized by increased levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and/or low- density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study aims to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus on lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis in male mice fed with a high-fat diet by measuring blood lipid, hepatic function and hepatocyte morphology. Material and methods Eighty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were fed with a high-fat diet for six weeks to establish hyperlipidemic models. Then, mice were treated with a high or low concentration of Lactobacillus of human source, mouse source, or plant source, respectively. Results After three weeks of therapy, except for the human Lactobacillus treatment group, the blood cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in mice treated with Lactobacillus of mouse and plant source were lower than those in the hyperlipidemic model group. After four weeks of treatment, the levels of blood biochemical indexes in mice in all treatment groups were significantly different, when compared to those in the hyperlipidemic model group. Conclusions Lactobacillus may regulate blood lipid in mice fed with a high-fat diet. Lactobacillus can improve the high cholesterol, high blood lipid, and injury of hepatic function, and prevent further development of atherosclerosis caused by a high-fat diet to some extent. Correct dietary structure is the basis for the treatment of dietary hyperlipidemia and its complications.