Inhibition of atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-deficient mice by dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus casei

Abstract

Background: Elevated serum cholesterol in humans is generally a risk factor correlated with the development of atherosclerosis (AS). Lactobacillus casei has been demonstrated to have the potential to reduce human serum cholesterol levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Lactobacillus casei (Strain Shirota) in apoE-deficient mice.

Methods: A total of 60 male ApoE-deficient mice of 4 weeks age, were randomly divided into 4 groups of 15 each group and matched for body weight. Four groups of apoE-deficient mice consumed one of the following diet: AIN-93G purified diet (n=15); AIN-93G purified diet with Lactobacillus casei (Strain Shirota; 0.5 mL of 10⁸ cfu/mL,n=15); AIN-93G purified diet with Lactobacillus casei (Strain Shirota; 0.5 mL of 10¹⁰ cfu/mL,n=15); AIN-93G purified diet with Lactobacillus casei (Strain Shirota; 0.5 mL of 10¹² cfu/mL,n=15).

Results: After 16 weeks intervention, the areas of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic sinus were determined. Plaques were much more severe in control group than in lactobacillus casei-treated groups (P < 0.05). The plaque area of aortic sinus in mice fed lactobacillus casei with 0.5 mL of 10⁸, 10¹⁰, or 10¹² cfu/mL was 44.61%, 56.01%, 82.58% less compared with control group, respectively. Compared with control group, total cholesterol accumulation in aortas and livers showed a significant reduction in mice fed with lactobacillus casei (P < 0.05). Addition of lactobacillus casei also ameliorated serum lipid profile by decreasing total serum cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol concentration.

Conclusions: lactobacillus casei significantly improved lipid profile and reduced cholesterol accumulation in liver and aorta, leading the inhibition of the formation of atherosclerotic lesion.

Keywords: lactobacillus casei, atherosclerosis, apoE-deficient mice,cholesterol