Abstract:An imbalance in cholesterol levels can cause a variety of diseases and is a threat to individual health. Therefore, controlling cholesterol levels has become a common concern. In addition to pharmacological therapy to lower cholesterol levels, using drugs like statins and ezetimibe, several lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus fermentum, have been shown to effectively reduce cholesterol levels. Numerous studies have shown that one of the primary metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria, bile salt hydrolase (BSH), is closely associated with the cholesterol-lowering properties of these bacteria. This article summarizes the characteristics and functions of BSH and the mechanism underlying its cholesterol-lowering effects to establish a theoretical basis for further studies on the cholesterol-reducing effects of BSH-producing lactic acid bacteria in humans and provide insights into their development and application as probiotics for cholesterol control.
