Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum may reduce cardiovascular risk: An experimental study

BACKGROUND: Reduction of cardiovascular risk (CVR) is based on the correction of risk factors, especially dyslipidemia. Due to the limiting factors of conventional lipid-lowering medications, the investigation of alternative approaches is necessary. METHODS: The present open, comparative, randomized, and parallel investigation was conducted on 77 patients. Participants were of both sexes, 40-74 years-of-age, and had dyslipidemia. The participants were divided into 2 groups; the treatment group (n = 41) received a combination of Lactobacillus plantarum and simvastatin 20 mg once a day, and the control group (n = 36) received simvastatin 20 mg once a day. The trial included 5 visits; screening on the first 2, and treatment on the next 3 (on weeks 4, 8, and 12). On visits 1, 3, 4, and 5, the lipid profile was evaluated and CVR was calculated using 5 tools. RESULTS: The combination treatment led to a more pronounced decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) after 8 weeks (P = 0.002 and 0.016, respectively), that persisted after 12 weeks (P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Reduction in TC and LDL by  20% was observed more predominantly in the treatment group. A significant reduction was observed in CVR in the treatment group according to the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster ( PROCAM) score (P = 0.004). Reduction of CVR by  20% was mostly observed as a result of prescribing combination therapy according to the Framingham Risk Score (70.7%; P = 0.003), 2013 ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Calculator (51.2%; P = 0.035), PROCAM (65.9%; P < 0.001), and WHO CVD risk chart (56.1%; P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Additional supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum was more effective in the reduction of TC, LDL, and CVR according to PROCAM and the attainment of treatment goals regarding lipid profile and CVR levels.