Journal Article

Regulatory efficacy of fermented plant extract on the intestinal microflora and lipid profile in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals

Venkatakrishnan, Kamesh, Lu, Yan-Ying, Han, Yi-Chun, Chiu, Hui-Fang, Wang, Chin-Kun, Shen, You-Cheng, Chen, Yen-Jung

2017

Overview

In recent years, the use of fermented plant products to protect against various metabolic syndromes has been increasing enormously. The objective of this study was to check the regulatory efficacy of fermented plant extract (FPE) on intestinal microflora, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in mildly hypercholesterolemic volunteers. Forty-four mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals (cholesterol 180–220 mg/dL) were recruited and assigned to two groups: experimental or placebo. Volunteers were requested to drink either 60 mL of FPE or placebo for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements were done in the initial, 4th, 8th, and 10th weeks. The anthropometric parameters such as body weight, body fat, and body mass index were markedly lowered (p<0.05) on FPE intervention participants. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity and total phenolics in plasma were considerably increased along with a reduction (p<0.05) in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) after FPE supplementation. Participants who drank FPE showed a pronounced increase (p<0.05) in the number of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., whereas the number of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens (p<0.05) were concomitantly reduced. Furthermore, the lag time of LDL oxidation was substantially ameliorated in FPE-administered group, thus indicating its antioxidative and cardioprotective properties. Treatment with FPE substantially improved the intestinal microflora and thereby positively regulated various physiological functions by lowering the anthropometric parameters, TC, and LDL-c, and remarkably elevated the antioxidant capacity and lag time of LDL oxidation. Therefore, we recommended FPE beverage for combating hypercholesterolemia. [Display omitted] •Effect of fermented plant extract (FPE) on major intestinal microflora, lipid profile, and antioxidant status were evaluated.•Body weight, body fat, body mass index were markedly lowered by FPE-administered volunteers.•Intestinal microflora were considerably modulated by improving beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.•Moreover, lipid profile were significantly reduced on treatment with FPE and thus supported the hypocholesterolemic efficiency of FPE.•FPE beverage might be beneficial for treating various metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.

• Publisher: Elsevier B.V,Food and Drug Administration,Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
• Subject: Adult / anthropometric parameters / Anthropometry / Anticholesteremic Agents - administration & dosage / Anticholesteremic Agents - chemistry / antioxidant activity / antioxidant capacity / Antioxidants / Bacteria / Bacteria - classification / Bacteria - genetics / Bacteria - isolation & purification / Bacteria - metabolism / beneficial microorganisms / beverages / Bifidobacterium / Body fat / Body mass index / Body measurements / Body size / Body weight / cardioprotective effect / Cardiovascular disease / Cholesterol / Chronic illnesses / Clostridium perfringens / drugs / E coli / Escherichia coli / Family medical history / Female / Fermentation / fermented plant extract / Flavonoids / Food / Gastrointestinal diseases / Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Humans / Hypercholesterolemia / Hypercholesterolemia - metabolism / Hypercholesterolemia - microbiology / Intestinal microflora / intestinal microorganisms / Intestine / Intestines - metabolism / Intestines - microbiology / Lactobacillus / Lag time / lipid composition / lipid profile / Lipids / Lipids - chemistry / Low density lipoprotein / low density lipoprotein cholesterol / Male / Medical research / Metabolic disorders / Metabolic syndrome / Middle Aged / Original / Oxidation / Parameters / phenolic compounds / Phenols / Physiology / placebos / Plant extracts / Plant Extracts - administration & dosage / Plant Extracts - chemistry / Plant Extracts - metabolism / Plasma / Probiotics / Researchers / Studies / Supplements