Hypocholesterolemic and hypotensive effects of probiotic yoghurt containing lactic acid bacteria on at risk coronary heart diseased males

Ninety at risk Coronary heart diseased males aged 40–50 years, free from serious complications were selected and equally divided into three groups viz. E₁, E₂ and C. Subjects of group E₁ were provided 150 ml of probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (MTCC-447) in the inoculum rate of 1.0 per cent and E₂ with 150 ml probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (MTCC-447) and Streptococcus thermophilus (MTCC1938) in the inoculums rate of 1.5 per cent for a period of two months respectively, while group C was not given any supplementation. Nutrient intake, blood lipid levels and blood pressure of all the subjects were recorded before and after the supplementation period. It was observed that significant (p≤0.01) increase in calcium, phosphorus and riboflavin intake was reported in both the experimental groups. After supplementation, it was seen that total cholesterol decreased from 209.33±5.12mg/dl to 180.06±4.46mg/dl and 212.90±5.61mg/dl to 178.36±4.54mg/dl and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased from 127.04±5.25mg/dl to 108.88±4.92mg/dl and 128.44±5.72mg/dl to 106.44±4.94mg/dl in the subjects of group E₁ and E₂ respectively. It was also observed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) also decreased from131.46±1.62mm Hg to 124.16±1.50mm Hg and 132.42±2.10mm Hg to 124.12±2.25mm Hg whereas diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased from 86.42±1.24mm Hg to 82.32±1.25mm Hg and 88.24±1.98mm Hg to 83.34±1.68mm Hg in the subjects of group E₁ and E₂ respectively. The improvement was more in E₂ group as compared to E₁ group. Any added effect, therefore, is due to the consumption of fermented milk products The hypocholesterolemic effect of the probiotics has been attributed to their ability to bind cholesterol in the small intestine. Cholesterol can also be converted in the intestines to coprostanol, which is directly excreted in faeces. This decreases the amount of cholesterol being absorbed, leading to a reduced concentration in the physiological cholesterol pool. Hence can be a panacea in counteracting the problems of Coronary Heart diseases.