![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6f53e8_5a9acd4704b64b4b9a36550615a9aa9b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_806,h_275,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/6f53e8_5a9acd4704b64b4b9a36550615a9aa9b~mv2.jpg)
Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 -
Reduces Uptake of Cholesterol in Liver & Intestinal Cells
![NI-Asia-19-logo-finalists-reg.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6f53e8_4c10d600561640cb89a71843fdd25f58~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_118,h_106,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/NI-Asia-19-logo-finalists-reg.jpg)
Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder that is primarily affected by dietary factors and lipid metabolism factors of the host. Thus, the modulation of key intestinal cholesterol transport pathways and homeostasis of cholesterol in the liver are crucial factors that need to be evaluated to better understand hypercholesterolemia.
​
Study of Lew et al. (2018) shown that Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 significantly reduced the amount of cholesterol accumulation in both intestinal and liver cells.
​
Cell free supernatant (CFS) from Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 could exert cholesterol lowering properties along the AMPK (AMP-protein kinase) pathway, specifically via phosphorylation of AMPK that led to a reduced expression of HMGCR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase).
​
Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 has great potentials in maintaining heart health and reducing risks of cardiovascular diseases.
![fig4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6f53e8_9b70884cd15043f38e2f94c3a125ceed~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_466,h_346,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/fig4.jpg)
Figure 4: Accumulation of cholesterol in (A) intestinal cells (HT-29) and (B) hepatic cells (HepG2) upon incubation for 24 h at 37℃, in the presence of cell free supernatant (CFS) from different strains of lactobacilli (50% v/v).
​
(Lew et al., Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources, 2018)