The hypocholesterolaemic effect of milk yoghurt and soy-yoghurt containing bifidobacteria in rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet

The effect of buffalo milk yoghurt and soy-yoghurt supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 or Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 on plasma and liver lipids and the faecal excretion of bile acids was determined in rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet. The groups fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with yoghurt and soy-yoghurt containing Bb-12 or Bb-46 had significantly lower levels of plasma total cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)+low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than the positive control group (without supplementation). Yoghurt or soy-yoghurt containing Bb-46 was more effective in the lowering of plasma and liver cholesterol levels than yoghurt or soy-yoghurt containing Bb-12. Furthermore, the faecal excretions of bile acids were markedly promoted in yoghurt and soy-yoghurt containing Bb-12 and Bb-46 groups compared with the positive control group. The results showed also an inverse relationship between the faecal excretions of bile acids and the levels of total cholesterol in blood plasma from rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet with probiotic supplementation.