The effect of improved formulation of chitosan-alginate microcapsules of Bifidobacteria on serum lipid profiles in mice.

Background: Probiotics have been associated with many beneficial effects in human digestive physiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of improved formulation of chitosan-alginate microcapsules of Bifidobacterium strains on serum triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, and LDL in mice.

Methods: Five approved probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium were tested for anti-proliferative effect and interleukin-8 induction on HT-29 cell lines. Bifidobacterium strains plus five approved Lactobacillus were encapsulated in chitosan-alginate microcapsules and tested for its survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. These microcapsules were administered to 4 groups of mice (including 1. Bif (Bifidobacterium strains), 2. Lac (Lactobacillus strains), 3. Bif-Lac (Bifidobacterium plus Lactobacillus strains) and 4. Control) for 8 days. At eighth day, the blood of mice were taken and serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, and LDL of them were determined.

Results: All of the Bifidobacterium strains significantly (P < 0.001) reduced secretion of IL-8 in HT-29 cells as well as maximum antiproliferative effects (P < 0.001). In addition, all microcapsules showed impressive survival rate in bile (>%94.1) and gastrointestinal (>%78.28) conditions (P < 0.05). Only Bif-Lac group displayed significantly lower serum cholesterol and LDL levels than control group (P < 0.05). Besides, all groups indicate statistically significant weight loss of mice during the 8 days in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the microencapsulated probiotics with alginate and chitosan had an effective mean of delivery of viable bacterial cells and non-pharmacological interventions use to reduce serum cholesterol and LDL levels in in-vivo condition.