The effect of fish oil rich in cetoleic acid on the omega-3 index and skin quality.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to provide preliminary data on the effect of a long chain monounsaturated oil rich in cetoleic acid on the omega-3 index, a validated measure of EPA and DHA in blood cells, as well as a potential effect of the oil on skin quality. DESIGN: Two intervention studies were performed, each as double blinded, placebo controlled, randomised nutritional trials. The CetoIndex study (N = 55) measured omega-3 index using a blood spot collection kit (Omegaquant). The Optihud study (N = 28) measured skin quality parameters in healthy women using the VISIA system. The cetoleic-rich-oil (CRO) was an oil derived from North Atlantic fish with a predominance of long chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids including cetoleic acid (C22:1 n-11) and gondoic acid (C20:1 n-9). RESULTS: In a placebo-controlled study, the omega-3 index in healthy volunteers was increased similar to that seen with an oil with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a separate placebo-controlled study, the CRO reduced erythema in skin, which is a marker of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest that the use of a CRO increases the omega-3 index more than expected from the levels of EPA and DHA in the oil. The CRO may potentially have benefits on skin inflammation. SUMMARY: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are commonly taken as dietary supplements for a range of health benefits. Other marine fatty acids may also provide health benefits and it is of interest to understand their activity. Long chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFA) have shown biological activity in studies of metabolic health in animal models. Here, we report two intervention studies using a fish oil with a high LCMUFA content where cetoleic acid is the predominant fatty acid (Cetoleic rich oil: CRO). In CetoIndex, a placebo-controlled study in 55 healthy volunteers, the omega-3 index increased similarly to that seen with an oil containing higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In Optihud, a placebo-controlled study in 28 female volunteers, the CRO reduced erythema in skin, which is a marker of inflammation. The results of this pilot study support the use of a CRO for increasing the omega-3 index with potential benefits on skin inflammation.

The main pulse of the Siberian Traps expanded in size and composition.

Emplacement of large volumes of (sub)volcanic rocks during the main pulse of the Siberian Traps occurred within <1 m.y., coinciding with the end-Permian mass extinction. Volcanics from outside the main Siberian Traps, e.g. Taimyr and West Siberia, have since long been correlated, but existing geochronological data cannot resolve at a precision better than ~5 m.y. whether (sub)volcanic activity in these areas actually occurred during the main pulse or later. We report the first high precision U-Pb zircon geochronology from two alkaline ultramafic-felsic layered intrusive complexes from Taimyr, showing synchronicity between these and the main Siberian Traps (sub)volcanic pulse, and the presence of a second Dinerian-Smithian pulse. This is the first documentation of felsic intrusive magmatism occurring during the main pulse, testifying to the Siberian Trap's compositional diversity. Furthermore, the intrusions cut basal basalts of the Taimyr lava stratigraphy hence providing a minimum age of these basalts of 251.64 ± 0.11 Ma. Synchronicity of (sub)volcanic activity between Taimyr and the Siberian Traps imply that the total area of the Siberian Traps main pulse should include a ~300 000 km2 area north of Norilsk. The vast aerial extent of the (sub)volcanic activity during the Siberian Traps main pulse may explain the severe environmental consequences.