Krill Oil Aids Heart After Infarction

OSLO, NorwaySupplementing with krill oil (as Superba from Aker BioMarine) before heart failure attenuated left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy after myocardial infarction, according to a new study (Lipids Health Dis. 2011 Dec 29;10(1):245). Further, supplementation led to a proportional increase of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in heart tissue.

In the western world, heart failure is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular mortality. Previous studies have shown supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs  improves cardiac function in heart failure and to decreases mortality after myocardial infarction.

This study, conducted by researchers at Oslo University Hospital, Norway, investigated effects of krill oil on cardiac remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction. Fifty-three male rats were randomized to pre-treatment with krill oil or control feed 14 days before induction of myocardial infarction. Seven days after the myocardial infarction, the rats were examined with echocardiography and rats in the control group were further randomized to continued control feed or krill oil feed for seven weeks before re-examination with echocardiography and euthanization.

The echocardiographic evaluation showed significant decrease of left ventricular dilatation in the group pretreated with krill oil compared to controls. The pretreated rats also had attenuated heart weight, lung weight, and gene markers of left ventricular stress, matrix remodeling and inflammation. The total composition of fatty acids were examined in the left ventricular tissue, and all rats treated with krill oil showed a significantly higher proportion of omega-3 PUFAs in the left ventricular tissue, although no difference was seen between the two krill oil groups.

The molecular structure and composition of omega-3 PUFAs varies between different marine sources and this may be of importance for their biological effects. Krill oil, unlike fish oil supplements, contains the major part of the omega-3 PUFAs in the form of phospholipids.

"Previous studies have shown krill oil increases the level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in heart tissue, but this is the first study to indicate beneficial effects on a hard end-point like myocardial infarction," said Kjetil Berge, R&D director of Aker BioMarine Antarctic.

FDA did not object to Superba's new dietary ingredient (NDI) status, and the ingredient is also GRAS (generally recognized as safe), meaning it can be sold in the U.S. dietary supplement, and food and beverage markets.