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- Krill Oil Shows Promise in Suppression of Autoimmune Murine Lupus
Researchers have previously reported that hybrid New Zealand female mice fed a diet enriched in omega-3 lipid-rich fish oil versus omega-6 lipid-rich corn oil show delayed development of autoimmune lupus nephritis and longer life span. The present study was carried out to explore the possible beneficial effects of oil from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) as an alternative source of omega-3 lipids.
Mice were fed a nutritionally adequate semipurified diet supplemented with either 10% krill oil or 10% corn oil. Cross-sectional studies were carried out on kidneys and spleens at 3.5 and 6.5 months of age. Study results indicate that Krill Oil prolonged life span to a greater degree than corn oil (CO, 266.7 days plus or minus 12.5; KO, 330.2 days plus or minus 19.2) and delayed the onset of proteinuria.
Splenocytes from Krill Oil mice displayed greater proliferative responses to mitogen, and significantly lower Pgp-1+ cells in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Lipid extracts of splenocytes from Krill Oil fed mice revealed higher levels of eicosapentaenoic (omega-3 EPA) and docosahexaenoic (omega-3 DHA) acids. EPA suppresses prostaglandin synthesis. Further, Northern blot analysis showed decreased expression of the oncogene c-ras (1.5-fold) in the spleens of Krill Oil fed mice. The expression of transforming growth factor beta1 was higher in spleen cell extracts (3.5-fold), but lower in kidney extracts (5.97- fold) of Krill Oil fed mice.
The data indicate that dietary supplementation with Krill Oil modulates expression of TGFbeta in an organ specific manner. In the spleen, TGFbeta could be immunosuppressive, whereas its expression in the kidney may be pathological and proinflammatory. In summary, dietary Krill Oil, like fish oil, can suppress the development of autoimmune murine lupus, and its effects on inflammatory mediators are organ specific.
Source: Nutrition Research (USA), 1996, 16/3 (489-503)
- Krill Oil Shows Promise Against Skin Cancer
Neptune Krill Oil™ is a marine oil characterized by its high content of phospholipids with high quantities of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and potent antioxidants Vitamins A and E, esterified astaxanthin, and a marine source flavonoid. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the photoprotective potential of Neptune Krill Oil™ against UVB-induced skin cancer.
Scientific evidence suggests that Omega-3 and antioxidants may have both preventive and therapeutic properties for systemic disease, mainly cardiovascular and cancer. Cancer is the second most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in North America. In the year 2000, mortality is expected to rise to 552,200 Americans, which amounts to over 1,500 people per day. The incidence of malignancies is expected to rise to 1,220,100 this year. Since 1990, near 13 million new cases have been diagnosed excluding non-invasive cancers and squamous cell skin cancers. The incidence of squamous cell skin cancer alone within the year 2000 is expected to rise to 1.3 million (Source: American Cancer Society).
This was a randomized controlled pre-clinical trial using 96 Nude Congenic Mice. In order to establish efficacy of Neptune Krill Oil™ for the prevention of skin cancer, the test was conducted as a randomized double blind controlled trial. The mice were randomized in two groups of 48 mice. One group was treated with Neptune Krill Oil™ and the other with a placebo containing active control or Soya oil. Each group was subdivided in three subgroups of 16 mice each receiving various modes of treatment: oral, topical or both topical and oral. The diet of the orally treated groups was supplemented with 10% of their daily intake with Neptune Krill Oil™ or Soya oil. The daily oral dose given to the mice was equivalent to that of 2 g of Krill Oil per day for a 150-pound man or a 130-pound woman. All mice were exposed to 30 minutes of UVB radiation per day.
Clinical Significance Testing for Incidence of Cancer
Krill Oral vs. Placebo Oral: 49.7% reduction of incidence
Krill Topical vs. Placebo Topical: 49.7% reduction of incidence
Krill Oral/Topical vs. Placebo Oral/Topical: 66.6% reduction of incidence
- Neptune Krill Oil Effective Against Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
The September 2003 analysis of the interim data on an ongoing clinical study shows the benefits and the efficacy of Neptune Krill Oil™ on patients diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome. Indeed, Neptune Krill Oil™, a natural product composed of omega-3, potent phospholipids and antioxidants, works effectively on both the inflammation and pain as well as the emotional and psychological symptoms, by favorably affecting neurotransmitters within the brain.
Neptune Technologies & Bioresources Inc. is conducting this Phase II clinical study in order to measure the effects of Neptune Krill Oil™ on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The study is performed according to current International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines on Good Clinical Practice. Data was collected and analyzed from 46 of the 70 patients included in the study. This group of patients supplemented their diet with three grams of Neptune Krill Oil™ per day and met with their doctor twice during an 8-week initial period. During their visits, the patients answered a scientifically validated self-assessment questionnaire relating to their symptoms during the week before menstruation.
JSS Medical Research Inc., the independent contract research organization responsible for data analysis, reports: "The interim results on 64.3% of the 70 patients, which correspond to the 46 patients of the first group analyzed, indicate that Neptune Krill Oil™ significantly improves the overall emotional and physical symptoms of patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome". "Considering the study design and the power of our scientific results, the possibility that these results are not attributed to the beneficial effects of Neptune Krill Oil™, but to chance alone, is one in a thousand. This explains why we feel very strongly that the final results on the total number of patients will be just as conclusive", says Dr. Tina Sampalis, Vice-President Research and Development at Neptune. "The interim results of this clinical study are encouraging and allow us to move a step closer towards the validation of the efficacy of Neptune Krill Oil™ on the improvement of certain human health conditions", she added.
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