Probiotics (living agents) & Hypercholesterolemia (HChol)

Some of the studies, in both animal and human models, have revealed that several strains were able to improve at least 1 lipid fraction. Although the results from animal studies have been fairly consistent, the findings from studies on humans have varied. Some strains when evaluated in human studies have shown insignificant effects on lipid fractions. Although several mechanisms for cholesterol removal by probiotics have been proposed, they need further investigation to be validated.
Sharma et al. 2018 Altern Ther Health Med. 24(2): 36-43

Results of the meta-analysis of Wang et al. (2018) showed that compared with the control group serum Cholesterol was significantly reduced in probiotics group. In addition, specific strains also significantly reduced serum Cholesterol, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, VSL#3 TM, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (t 6 weeks or more). Subgroup analysis indicated that the difference of baseline Cholesterol, probiotics forms and intervention duration might have a significant impact on the results. However, strains and doses of probiotics had no significant influence on curative effects.
Wang et al. 2018 Medicine (United States) 97: e9679

A large number of in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Probiotics (living agents) do have hypolipidemic effects
Klaver & van der Meer 1993 Appl Environ Microbiol 59: 1120-4
Huang & Zheng 2010 Br J Nutr 103: 473-8
Lye et al. 2010 Int Dairy J 20: 169-75
Lye et al. 2010 J Dairy Sci 93: 1383-92

However, the lipid lowering effect of probiotics is controversial in human clinical studies. Some researches argue against this role (St-Onge et al. 2002 BMC Complement Altern Med 2: 1-7; Jung et al. 2013 Korean J Fam Med 34: 80-9) while 6 earlier meta-analyses approved this hypolipidemic role (Agerholm-Larsen et al. 2000 Eur J ClinNutr 54: 856-60; Guo et al. 2011 Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 21: 844-50; Cho & Kim 2015 Medicine 94: e1714; Shimizu et al. 2015 PLoS ONE 10: e139795; Sun & Buys 2015 Ann Med. 47(6): 430-40; Sharma et al. 2016 Indian J Public Health 60: 280-6)

see also:
Fermented dairy products / Fermented milk product
Hypercholesterolemia (HChol) & Drugs/Treatments
Probiotics (living agents) & Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)
Probiotics (living agents) & Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)