Influence of feeding Lactobacillus acidophilus cells on serum cholesterol levels of rabbits

ABSTRACT

lactobacillus acidophilus strain was able to take up and assimilate cholesterol in the laboratory medium. This ability was increased by increasing cholesterol concentration and it was also a function of the bacterial growth. The data indicated that feeding the rabbits a diet high in cholesterol caused an increase in serum cholesterol level. Ingestion of L. acidophilus cells resulted in reduction of serum cholesterol, if mixed with either basal diet or fermented milk. It was also noticed that lactobacillus spp. had an antagonistic effect against E.coli of bowel natural flora