Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TCCC11824 exerts hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects through regulation of NF-κB-HMGCR pathway and gut microbiota in mice and clinical patients

A strong association exists between the high-fat diet (HFD) and the incidence of obesity, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease, affecting an increasing number of individuals. More and more research has shown that probiotics and gut microbiota play important roles in dietary absorption, metabolism, and general health of the host. This aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the underlying mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TCCC11824 (CGMCC 8198) on hyperlipidemia and obesity in mice and humans. First, there was a dose-dependent improvement in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and obesity in mice that had been treated with L. plantarum TCCC11824 for 5 wk, thus restoring the balance of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, it showed that cell lysate of L. plantarum TCCC11824 could directly exhibit protective effects on the hepatocyte steatosis induced by oleic acid, and regulate the expression of HMGCR by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Importantly, L.plantarum TCCC11824 ameliorated the expression of indicators of hyperlipidemia and inhibited the synthesis of SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids), as shown by blood and fecal tests in hyperlipidemic patients. In summary, L. plantarum TCCC11824 exerts anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-obesity effects through the regulation of HMGCR via NF-κB and modulating gut microbiota, indicating its potential as a dietary supplement for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity.