Supplementation of Bacillus sp. DU-106 reduces hypercholesterolemia and ameliorates gut dysbiosis in high-fat diet rats

Gut microbiota modulation by a probiotic is a novel therapy for hypercholesterolemia mitigation. This study initially investigated the potential hypocholesterolemic effect of Bacillus sp. DU-106 in hypercholesterolemic rats and explored its potential relation with gut microbiota. Sprague-Dawley rats received a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with 7.5 x 10(9) and 1.5 x 10(10) CFU/kg bw/day Bacillus sp. DU-106 (low-dose and high-dose groups). At the end of 9 weeks, Bacillus sp. DU-106 treatment significantly decreased the body weight, liver index, and total cholesterol. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Bacillus sp. DU-106 intervention significantly increased bacterial richness and particularly increased the genus abundance of Turicibacter, Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, and Bacillus and significantly decreased the abundance of Ralstonia. Metabolomic data further indicated that the supplementation of Bacillus sp. DU-106 remarkably changed the gut metabolic profiles of hypercholesterolemic rats and, in particular, elevated the metabolites of indole-3-acetate, methylsuccinic acid, creatine, glutamic acid, threonine, lysine, ascorbic acid, and pyridoxamine. Spearman's correlation analysis showed the close relation between the different genera and metabolites. In conclusion, Bacillus sp. DU-106 supplement ameliorated high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and showed potential probiotic benefits for the intestine.

Automated summary

The probiotic Bacillus sp. DU-106 was found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect in hypercholesterolemic rats, significantly reducing body weight, liver index, and total cholesterol levels. This effect was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and metabolites, indicating potential probiotic benefits for intestinal health.