Meta-analysis of the effects of probiotics on hyperlipidemia.

BACKGROUND

The potential role of probiotics in mitigating hyperlipidemia has garnered increasing evidence, yet the specific mechanisms warrant further investigation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the alterations in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a hypothesized lipid-lowering mechanism of probiotics, in animal models and to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of probiotics on hyperlipidemic animal models through a meta-analysis of preclinical experiments. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar up to June 2024 yielded nine studies that met the inclusion criteria (INPLASY registration number: No. CRD42024559937).

RESULT

The analysis revealed that mice receiving probiotics exhibited a significant increase in SCFA levels compared with control mice (acetic acid: standard mean difference [SMD] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80 to 1.72, P < 0.00001, I = 28%; propionic acid: SMD = 1.99, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.51; butyric acid: SMD = 0.66, 95% CI 0.04 to 1.28, P = 0.04, I = 22%; acetate: SMD = 4.5, 95% CI 3.57 to 5.42, P < 0.00001, I = 48%; propionate: SMD = 0.76, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.15, P = 0.0002, I = 44%; butyrate: SMD = 2.8, 95% CI 2.18 to 3.41, P < 0.00001, I = 26%). Additionally, probiotic consumption reduced markers of oxidation and inflammation as well as liver damage enzymes.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this meta-analysis suggest that probiotics can enhance SCFA content in the body, decrease lipid levels in animals, improve oxidative stress and inflammation, reduce liver damage, and effectively alleviate hyperlipidemia.