The Barcelona-based manufacturer, which is part of Kaneka Corporation, announced the new research results in the journal Cardiovascular Research following an investigation into the effects of four weeks of AB-Life supplementation (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains KABP 011, KABP 012 and KABP 013) in healthy overweight individuals.
Previous research supports the cholesterol-lowering potential of the formulation in patients with hypercholesterolemia, however, this new investigation is, according to the authors, the first to demonstrate a probiotic’s impact on both LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particle size and apolipoproteins—relevant biomarkers in atherosclerosis.
“The trial underscores the potential of the three strains as a powerful probiotic formulation for cardiometabolic health, supporting novel and alternative avenues for the development of natural, safe and science-supported solutions,” the authors from AB-Biotics concluded.
Probiotics and cardiometabolic health
Probiotics have gained significant interest in the cardiovascular health field for their involvement in regulating lipid metabolism and managing cholesterol levels, thereby contributing to cardiometabolic well-being.
AB-Life previously exhibited high Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) activity compared to other reference strains in vitro. Additionally, it has shown the capacity to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in patients with mild to high hypercholesterolemia.
Because of previous observations, the authors hypothesized that AB-Life’s cholesterol-lowering effects may be attributed to its modulation of bile acid metabolism in the gut.
Influencing metabolic processes
Participating subjects (n=20) underwent four sequences of seven days of treatment with increasing doses of AB-Life.
Each capsule contained 1.2 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU), with the lowest dose of the probiotic mix consisting of one capsule per day for the first week. From the first week on, doses were increased weekly at the rate of double, triple and quadruple the initial dose to investigate whether a dose-dependent effect could be identified.
Results showed that AB-Life reduced cholesterol levels (significant change for non-HDL cholesterol) after only one week of intervention and increased bile acid deconjugation in the gut leading to reduced intestinal reabsorption.
Bile salts are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol, and therefore the elimination of bile salts resulted in higher mobilization of circulating cholesterol stores to replace them; subsequently reducing plasma cholesterol levels.
Results also showed reduced apolipoprotein (Apo)B100 and ApoB48 in plasma, decreased small-LDL levels (which are associated with a higher risk of atheroma plaque formation) and reduced LDL susceptibility to oxidation—a hallmark of atherosclerosis development and increased HDL (high-density lipoprotein) antioxidant capacity after probiotic intake.
Recent research indicates that serum apolipoprotein (Apo)B is an even more accurate marker of cardiovascular risk than LDL quantification, which the authors suggest underscores the importance of AB-Life’s effect in lowering ApoB.
“These effects confirm that L. plantarum strains KABP 011, KABP 012 and KABP 013 regulate lipid metabolism and support cholesterol excretion by acting on several metabolites, including bile salts, and align with a pattern of protection against atherosclerosis in overweight subjects—a primary predictor of coronary heart diseases,” the authors concluded.
They also highlighted that AB-Life's protective effects in patients with normal plasma cholesterol levels could reduce the need for pharmacological intervention to control dyslipidemia.
Jordi Espadaler, innovation director at AB-Biotics, noted that the research results represented "yet another stride forward in the biotics space".
"Not only does it provide clear evidence of the mechanisms of action underpinning AB-Life, indicating this probiotic formulation could be instrumental in controlling metabolic processes relevant to atherosclerosis, but it also demonstrates the potential of biotics developed via a precision approach—selected for their strain-specific benefits,” he said.
Journal: Cardiovascular Research
doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvae061
“Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains KABP011, KABP012 and KABP013 modulate bile acids and cholesterol metabolism in humans.”
Authors: Teresa Padro et al.