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Published on: December 31, 2017
Bifidobacteria supplementation: effects on plasma lipid profiles in dyslipidemic children
Ornella Guardamagna1, Alberto Amaretti2, Paolo Emilio Puddu3
1Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità pubblica e Pediatriche, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy.
Insights
This study found that a Bifidobacterium probiotic formulation effectively lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in children with dyslipidemia. The probiotic treatment was well-tolerated and beneficial when combined with diet therapy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Human Health
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Preclinical studies suggest probiotics can treat hypercholesterolemia, but clinical data are inconsistent.
- Primary dyslipidemia in children requires effective management strategies.
- Bifidobacterium strains show potential for improving lipid profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a specific Bifidobacterium probiotic formulation in improving lipid profiles of children with primary dyslipidemia.
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of the probiotic intervention in a pediatric population.
- To determine if probiotic supplementation offers benefits beyond standard dietary recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving 38 children (ages 10.8 ± 2.1 years) with dyslipidemia.
- Participants received a probiotic blend (B. animalis lactis MB 2409, B. bifidum MB 109B, B. longum longum BL04) or placebo for 3 months, with a 1-month crossover.
- Dietary intake, particularly saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, was strictly monitored by a dietitian throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Probiotic treatment resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) by 3.4% (P = 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 3.8% (P = 0.001) compared to placebo.
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) showed a positive trend, increasing from 55.8 ± 12.2 mg/dL to 60.7 ± 14.2 mg/dL.
- No significant dietary changes were observed, and the probiotic formulation was well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- A Bifidobacterium probiotic formulation is a safe and effective adjunct to diet therapy for managing dyslipidemia in children.
- This probiotic approach demonstrates clinical utility in improving lipid profiles for pediatric patients.
- Larger controlled studies are recommended to further validate these promising findings in pediatric dyslipidemia management.
Objective:
Preclinical investigations support the use of probiotics in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, but clinical evidence is often contrasting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic formulation containing three Bifidobacterium strains on lipid profiles in children affected by primary dyslipidemia.
Methods:
Thirty-eight children with dyslipidemia, ages 10.8 ± 2.1 y, were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. After a 4-wk diet run-in period, the children received probiotics (B. animalis subspecies lactis MB 2409, B. bifidum MB 109B, and B. longum subspecies longum BL04) or placebo for 3 mo. After 1 mo, wash-out treatments were switched. A strict dietary evaluation concerning satured fatty acids and cholesterol content, STEP I diet accordingly, was performed by a dietitian who examined the weekly dietary diary at each visit.
Results:
Baseline lipid profile was (mean ± SD): total cholesterol (TC) 222.8 ± 23.2 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 55.8 ± 12.2 mg/dL, triglycerides (TG) 99.0 ± 61.7 mg/dL, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 147.2 ± 21.9 mg/dL. After 3 mo of probiotic treatment, the lipid profile was: TC 211.9 ± 27.3 mg/dL, HDL-C 60.7 ± 14.2 mg/dL, TG 79.5 ± 34.5 mg/dL, and LDL-C 135.3 ± 24.2 mg/dL. Compared with placebo, probiotics reduced TC by 3.4% (P = 0.02) and LDL-C by 3.8% (P = 0.001). No significant dietary change occurred through the study and no relevant adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions:
Treatment with a Bifidobacterium probiotic formulation was well tolerated and useful in combination with to diet therapy. Children with dyslipidemia benefited from this approach, although the results need to be confirmed by larger controlled studies.
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