Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis supplementation on lipid profiles: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

UNLABELLED: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis on lipid profiles using four major databases, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. A total of 38 studies were included. In animal models, probiotic supplementation was associated with improvements in lipid profiles, reducing triglyceride (TG) (SMD: - 1.84), total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: - 2.26), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD: - 1.89) levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (SMD: + 1.01; all p < 0.05). Significant heterogeneity was observed (I 2  > 70%); however, the pooled estimates remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analysis suggested Lactobacillus plantarum as exhibiting the most consistent lipid-lowering efficacy in preclinical models. In contrast, the pooled clinical data, derived from a limited number of RCTs (n = 4), showed only a modest reduction in TG levels, whereas changes in TC and LDL-C levels were not significant. These results indicate potential probiotic-mediated pathways. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-026-02164-2.