Probiotics relieve symptoms of hyperlipidemia by regulating patients' gut microbiome, blood lipid metabolism, and lifestyle habits

Hyperlipidemia is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it is associated with lipid metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Here, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of three-month intake of a mixed probiotic formulation in hyperlipidemic patients (n = 27 and 29 in placebo and probiotic groups, respectively). The blood lipid indexes, lipid metabolome, and fecal microbiome before and after the intervention were monitored. Our results showed that probiotic intervention could significantly decrease the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia. Probiotic recipients showing improved blood lipid profile also exhibited significant differences in their lifestyle habits after the three-month intervention, with an increase daily intake of vegetable and dairy products, as well as weekly exercise time. Moreover, two blood lipid metabolites (namely acetyl-carnitine and free carnitine) significantly increased after probiotic supplementation cholesterol. In addition, probiotic-driven mitigation of hyperlipidemic symptoms were accompanied by increases in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in patients' fecal microbiota. These results supported that mixed probiotic application could regulate host gut microbiota balance, lipid metabolism, and lifestyle habits, through which hyperlipidemic symptoms could be alleviated. The findings of this study urge for further research and development of probiotics into nutraceuticals for managing hyperlipidemia.