Researchers tested whether a combination of helpful bacteria and a special sugar could protect mice from heart disease caused by eating too much cholesterol. They found that this bacterial mixture, called a synbiotic, appeared to reduce harmful cholesterol buildup in blood vessels and improved markers of heart health. The bacteria seemed to work by changing the balance of microbes in the digestive system, which then sent protective signals to the heart. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test whether the same benefits work in people before recommending it as a treatment.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a combination of beneficial bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum M10) and a special sugar (isomaltose) could prevent or reduce heart disease in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet
- Who participated: Laboratory mice that were fed a diet high in cholesterol to mimic heart disease development in humans
- Key finding: The mice that received the bacterial and sugar combination showed reduced cholesterol buildup in their arteries and improved heart health markers compared to mice that didn’t receive the treatment
- What it means for you: This suggests that certain beneficial bacteria might help protect heart health, but much more research in humans is needed before this could become a medical treatment. Don’t change your diet or take supplements based on this mouse study alone—talk to your doctor first
The Research Details
Scientists conducted an experiment using mice to test whether a special combination of helpful bacteria and a type of sugar could protect against heart disease. They divided the mice into different groups: some ate a regular diet, some ate a high-cholesterol diet (which causes heart disease), and some ate a high-cholesterol diet plus received the bacterial and sugar mixture. The researchers then measured various markers of heart health and examined the bacteria living in the mice’s digestive systems.
This type of study is called a preclinical or animal model study. Scientists use it as an early step to test whether a treatment might work before trying it in humans. The bacteria used (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum M10) is a type that naturally lives in human digestive systems and is considered safe. The sugar (isomaltose) is a type that the beneficial bacteria can use as food to grow and thrive.
Animal studies like this help scientists understand how treatments might work in the body before testing them in people. By studying the connection between gut bacteria and heart health (called the ‘gut-heart axis’), researchers can identify promising treatments that might eventually help prevent heart disease in humans. This research approach allows scientists to control all the variables carefully and measure effects that would be difficult to study in people.
This study was published in BMC Microbiology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which means other experts reviewed the work before publication. However, because this is an animal study in mice, the results may not directly apply to humans. The sample size of mice was not specified in the available information, which makes it harder to assess the strength of the findings. Readers should understand that promising mouse studies don’t always lead to successful human treatments.
What the Results Show
The mice that received the bacterial and sugar combination while eating a high-cholesterol diet showed significant improvements in heart health compared to mice that only ate the high-cholesterol diet. Specifically, the treatment appeared to reduce the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries (a condition called atherosclerosis), which is the main cause of heart disease.
The researchers also found that the bacterial mixture changed the types and amounts of bacteria living in the mice’s digestive systems. This shift toward more beneficial bacteria appeared to be connected to the heart health improvements. The bacteria seemed to produce helpful substances that reduced inflammation and improved how the body processes cholesterol.
Additionally, the treatment appeared to improve markers related to how well the heart and blood vessels were functioning. These markers suggest that the bacterial mixture might protect against the damage that high cholesterol causes to blood vessels over time.
Beyond the main heart health findings, the researchers observed that the bacterial mixture appeared to improve the overall health of the digestive system lining. A healthier gut lining may be important because it can prevent harmful substances from entering the bloodstream and triggering inflammation. The treatment also seemed to influence how the body’s immune system responds, potentially reducing excessive inflammation that damages blood vessels.
This research builds on earlier studies showing that the bacteria in our digestive systems (our microbiome) play an important role in heart health. Previous research has suggested that certain beneficial bacteria can help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation. This study is notable because it tested a specific combination of bacteria and a special sugar together, rather than just the bacteria alone. The combination approach (called a synbiotic) may work better than either component by itself because the sugar feeds the bacteria, helping them survive and thrive in the digestive system.
The most important limitation is that this study was conducted in mice, not humans. Mice have different digestive systems and metabolisms than people, so results may not translate directly. The study doesn’t tell us whether this treatment would work, be safe, or be practical in people. Additionally, the specific sample size wasn’t provided, making it difficult to assess how reliable the findings are. The study also doesn’t tell us the optimal dose, how long treatment would need to continue, or whether there might be side effects in humans. Finally, this is a single study, so the findings need to be confirmed by other independent research teams before drawing firm conclusions.
The Bottom Line
Based on this mouse study alone, there is no recommendation to use this specific bacterial combination for heart health in humans. The evidence is preliminary and animal-based. If you’re interested in supporting heart health through diet, focus on proven strategies: eat less saturated fat and cholesterol, eat more fiber-rich foods, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re considering probiotic supplements, talk to your doctor first, as they can help you choose options with more human research behind them.
This research is most relevant to scientists studying heart disease and the gut microbiome, and to pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments. People with high cholesterol or heart disease risk should be aware of this research direction but shouldn’t change their treatment based on it. Healthy people don’t need to take any action based on this single mouse study. Anyone considering probiotic supplements should consult their healthcare provider.
Since this is a mouse study, there’s no timeline for human benefits. If this treatment moves forward to human testing, it would typically take many years (often 5-10+ years) of clinical trials before it could become available as a medical treatment. Even then, it would need to prove it works better than existing heart disease prevention strategies.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily intake of fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and note any probiotic-containing foods you eat (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut). Log weekly cholesterol levels if you monitor them at home, and track any heart health markers your doctor measures.
- Use the app to set a goal of adding one fiber-rich food to your diet daily and one fermented food (like yogurt or kefir) several times per week. Create reminders to eat these foods consistently, as maintaining a healthy gut bacteria balance requires ongoing dietary choices.
- Over 8-12 weeks, track how consistently you’re eating fiber and fermented foods, and note any changes in how you feel (energy levels, digestion). If you have regular cholesterol or heart health checkups, compare results over time. Share this data with your doctor to see if dietary changes are making a measurable difference in your health markers.
This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used to guide personal medical decisions. Do not start, stop, or change any heart disease treatments or supplements based on this study. If you have high cholesterol, heart disease, or family history of heart disease, work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan based on proven strategies. Always consult your doctor before taking probiotics or other supplements, especially if you take medications or have health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.