6/29/2011 --- Aker BioMarine announces a publication of a new preclinical study on krill oil. The study results showed a significantly higher impact on gene regulation in the liver when the omega-3 fatty acids were given in the form of phospholipids (krill oil), compared to the triglyceride form (fish oil). More specifically, krill oil downregulated the activity of pathways involved in hepatic glucose production as well as lipid and cholesterol synthesis. The data also suggested that krill oil-supplementation increases the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Neither diet elicited changes in plasma levels of lipids, glucose, or insulin, probably because the mice used in this study were young and were fed a low fat diet.

The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrigenomics, investigated the regulation of 20,118 genes in mouse liver. Mice were given 3 different diets for 3 months: one control diet without omega-3, one diet supplemented with krill oil, and one diet supplemented with fish oil. The diets supplemented with omega-3 contained the same level of the two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Due to the interesting findings in the reported study, Aker BioMarine has now initiated a study where the effects on hepatic lipid, glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function will be studied in more detail.

According to Dr. Jamie Barger of LifeGen Technologies, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, which conducted the study. “Clearly this study demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids in phospholipid form, which is abundant in krill oil, is more bioactive than the corresponding triglyceride form of the omega-3 fatty acids. This research builds upon the body of evidence supporting the theory that phospholipid-bound EPA & DHA is utilized more effectively. However, further research is necessary to explain why there is a difference between these two molecular forms of the beneficial fatty acids,” says Barger.

Aker BioMarine is the only krill ingredient marketer that is primary in its supply. Aker’s proprietary Eco-Harvesting technology and on-board processing result in the unique composition of Superba Krill Oil and provide full traceability from sea to shelf. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has granted MSC Certification to Aker’s fisheries, an exclusive distinction that no other krill fishery has earned. As part of an established commitment to substantiating krill’s health benefits, Aker continues to sponsor in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical trials with phospholipid EPA & DHA from krill oil, consistently demonstrating a higher uptake of phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids, improved blood lipid profiles, and increased uptake of DHA in brain tissue compared to other omega-3 fatty acid sources.