Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising Rhodospirillum rubrum cells for use in a method for inhibiting the uptake of cholesterol from the intestine in a human subject, such that the plasma LDL-cholesterol level in said human subject is lowered and concentrations of blood proteins relating to kidney function, liver function and/or heart function are essentially unaltered. In addition, the invention relates to a non-therapeutic method of lowering plasma LDL-cholesterol level in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising Rhodospirillum rubrum cells, wherein lowering of the plasma LDL-cholesterol level is the inhibition of the uptake of cholesterol from the intestine in said human subject.

Abstract: An extract of Rhodospirillum rubrum includes rhodovibrin, 1-hydroxyspirilloxanthin, 3,4-didehydrorhodopin, chloroxanthin, bacteriopheophytin a, rhodopin, spirilloxanthin, 3,4-dihydrospirilloxanthin, phytyl derivative of bacteriopheophytin a, ubiquinol-10, ubiquinone-9, ubiquinone-10 and rhodoquinone-10. Such an extract could be used as a medicament, for lowering of LDL-cholesterol in blood plasma of a subject and/or for subjects who suffer from or have an increased risk of one or more of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, familial hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, an LDL plasma level of at least 70 mg/dL, a total cholesterol level of at least 200 mg/dL, an Lp(a) level of at least 14 mg/dL, inflammation, inflammatory disease, ischemia, or infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol-lowering preparation, in particular to a bacterial cell extract for use as a medicament for lowering of the blood plasma LDL-cholesterol level, wherein the extract is obtained by extraction for between 10 minutes and 48 hours at between 8° C. and 37° C., while mixing the cells with the mixture, and wherein the ldl-cholesterol-lowering cell extract and food supplementldl-cholesterol-lowering cell extract and food supplement Rhodospirillum rubrum cells are extracted with the mixture in a volume ratio of between 10:1 and 1:10 of petroleum ether with a boiling point of between 60° C. and 80° C. and methanol comprising sodium chloride. More specifically, the present invention relates to a petroleum ether extract of Rhodospirillum rubrum obtainable by extraction of Rhodospirillum rubrum cells with a mixture of petroleum ether with a boiling point of between 60° C. and 80° C. and methanol comprising sodium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol-lowering preparation, in particular to a bacterial cell extract for use as a medicament for lowering of the blood plasma LDL-cholesterol level, wherein the extract is obtained by extraction for between 10 minutes and 48 hours at between 8° C. and 37° C., while mixing the cells with the mixture, and wherein the ldl-cholesterol-lowering cell extract and food supplementldl-cholesterol-lowering cell extract and food supplement Rhodospirillum rubrum cells are extracted with the mixture in a volume ratio of between 10:1 and 1:10 of petroleum ether with a boiling point of between 60° C. and 80° C. and methanol comprising sodium chloride. More specifically, the present invention relates to a petroleum ether extract of Rhodospirillum rubrum obtainable by extraction of Rhodospirillum rubrum cells with a mixture of petroleum ether with a boiling point of between 60° C. and 80° C. and methanol comprising sodium chloride.