Novel Ca-Chelating Peptides from Protein Hydrolysate of Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba): Preparation, Characterization, and Calcium Absorption Efficiency in Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model.

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is the world's largest resource of animal proteins and is thought to be a high-quality resource for future marine healthy foods and functional products. Therefore, Antarctic krill was degreased and separately hydrolyzed using flavourzyme, pepsin, papain, and alcalase. Protein hydrolysate (AKH) of Antarctic krill prepared by trypsin showed the highest Ca-chelating rate under the optimized chelating conditions: a pH of 8.0, reaction time of 50 min, temperature of 50 °C, and material/calcium ratio of 1:15. Subsequently, fourteen Ca-chelating peptides were isolated from APK by ultrafiltration and a series of chromatographic methods and identified as AK, EAR, AEA, VERG, VAS, GPK, SP, GPKG, APRGH, GVPG, LEPGP, LEKGA, FPPGR, and GEPG with molecular weights of 217.27, 374.40, 289.29, 459.50, 275.30, 300.36, 202.21, 357.41, 536.59, 328.37, 511.58, 516.60, 572.66, and 358.35 Da, respectively. Among fourteen Ca-chelating peptides, VERG presented the highest Ca-chelating ability. Ultraviolet spectrum (UV), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis indicated that the VERG-Ca chelate had a dense granular structure because the N-H, C=O and -COOH groups of VERG combined with Ca2+. Moreover, the VERG-Ca chelate is stable in gastrointestinal digestion and can significantly improve Ca transport in Caco-2 cell monolayer experiments, but phytate could significantly reduce the absorption of Ca derived from the VERG-Ca chelate. Therefore, Ca-chelating peptides from protein hydrolysate of Antarctic krill possess the potential to serve as a Ca supplement in developing healthy foods.

Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on horse red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and blood parameters.

Supplementation with marine-derived n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) is linked to beneficial health effects in both humans and horses. Krill oil (KO), which is extracted from the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), is well documented as a safe and biologically available dietary supplement in humans and several animal species, but there is a lack of documentation regarding its effect as a dietary ingredient for horses. The objective of this study was to test whether KO as a dietary supplement had the ability to raise horse red blood cell (RBC) membrane EPA and DHA, expressed as the n-3 index. Five nonworking Norwegian cold-blooded trotter horse geldings (body weight [BW]: 567 ± 38 kg) were supplemented with KO (10 mL/100 kg BW) for 35 days in a longitudinal study. Blood samples were analysed for RBC membrane fatty acid (FA) profile, haematology and serum biochemistry every 7th day. KO was well accepted by all horses, and no adverse health effects were observed during the 35-day trial period. KO supplementation affected the RBC membrane FA profile by increasing the n-3 index from Day 0 to 35 (Day 0: 0.53% vs. Day 35: 4.05% of total RBC FAs). The observed increase in the sum of EPA and DHA (p < 0.001), total n-3 FAs (p < 0.001) and the reduction of n-6 FAs (p < 0.044) resulted in a lower n-6:n-3 ratio (p < 0.001) by Day 35 of KO supplementation. In conclusion, the RBC n-3 index was increased and the general n-6:n-3 ratio was decreased in horses receiving 35-day dietary KO supplementation.

Krill Protein Hydrolysate Provides High Absorption Rate for All Essential Amino Acids-A Randomized Control Cross-Over Trial.

BACKGROUND: adequate protein intake is essential to humans and, since the global demand for protein-containing foods is increasing, identifying new high-quality protein sources is needed. In this study, we investigated the acute postprandial bioavailability of amino acids (AAs) from a krill protein hydrolysate compared to a soy and a whey protein isolate. METHODS: the study was a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial including ten healthy young males. On four non-consecutive days, volunteers consumed water or one of three protein-matched supplements: whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate or krill protein hydrolysate. Blood samples were collected prior to and until 180 min after consumption. Serum postprandial AA concentrations were determined using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Hunger and satiety were assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS). RESULTS: whey and krill resulted in significantly higher AA concentrations compared to soy between 20-60 min and 20-40 min after consumption, respectively. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses revealed that whey resulted in the highest postprandial serum concentrations of essential AAs (EAAs) and branched chain AAs (BCAAs), followed by krill and soy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: krill protein hydrolysate increases postprandial serum EAA and BCAA concentrations in a superior manner to soy protein isolate and thus might represent a promising future protein source in human nutrition.

Krill Oil Treatment Increases Distinct PUFAs and Oxylipins in Adipose Tissue and Liver and Attenuates Obesity-Associated Inflammation via Direct and Indirect Mechanisms.

The development of obesity is characterized by the metabolic overload of tissues and subsequent organ inflammation. The health effects of krill oil (KrO) on obesity-associated inflammation remain largely elusive, because long-term treatments with KrO have not been performed to date. Therefore, we examined the putative health effects of 28 weeks of 3% (w/w) KrO supplementation to an obesogenic diet (HFD) with fat derived mostly from lard. The HFD with KrO was compared to an HFD control group to evaluate the effects on fatty acid composition and associated inflammation in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and the liver during obesity development. KrO treatment increased the concentrations of EPA and DHA and associated oxylipins, including 18-HEPE, RvE2 and 14-HDHA in eWAT and the liver. Simultaneously, KrO decreased arachidonic acid concentrations and arachidonic-acid-derived oxylipins (e.g., HETEs, PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α, TXB2). In eWAT, KrO activated regulators of adipogenesis (e.g., PPARγ, CEBPα, KLF15, STAT5A), induced a shift towards smaller adipocytes and increased the total adipocyte numbers indicative for hyperplasia. KrO reduced crown-like structures in eWAT, and suppressed HFD-stimulated inflammatory pathways including TNFα and CCL2/MCP-1 signaling. The observed eWAT changes were accompanied by reduced plasma leptin and increased plasma adiponectin levels over time, and improved insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In the liver, KrO suppressed inflammatory signaling pathways, including those controlled by IL-1ß and M-CSF, without affecting liver histology. Furthermore, KrO deactivated hepatic REL-A/p65-NF-κB signaling, consistent with increased PPARα protein expression and a trend towards an increase in IkBα. In conclusion, long-term KrO treatment increased several anti-inflammatory PUFAs and oxylipins in WAT and the liver. These changes were accompanied by beneficial effects on general metabolism and inflammatory tone at the tissue level. The stimulation of adipogenesis by KrO allows for safe fat storage and may, together with more direct PPAR-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms, attenuate inflammation.

Characterization of Astaxanthin Nanoemulsions Produced by Intense Fluid Shear through a Self-Throttling Nanometer Range Annular Orifice Valve-Based High-Pressure Homogenizer.

Stable, oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing astaxanthin (AsX) were produced by intense fluid shear forces resulting from pumping a coarse reagent emulsion through a self-throttling annular gap valve at 300 MPa. Compared to crude emulsions prepared by conventional homogenization, a size reduction of over two orders of magnitude was observed for AsX-encapsulated oil droplets following just one pass through the annular valve. In krill oil formulations, the mean hydrodynamic diameter of lipid particles was reduced to 60 nm after only two passes through the valve and reached a minimal size of 24 nm after eight passes. Repeated processing of samples through the valve progressively decreased lipid particle size, with an inflection in the rate of particle size reduction generally observed after 2-4 passes. Krill- and argan oil-based nanoemulsions were produced using an Ultra Shear Technology™ (UST™) approach and characterized in terms of their small particle size, low polydispersity, and stability.

Comparison of the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Scallop Oil Prepared from the Internal Organs of the Japanese Giant Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), Fish Oil, and Krill Oil in Obese Type II Diabetic KK-A y Mice.

Due to the growing demand of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as supplements and pharmaceutical products worldwide, there are concerns about the exhaustion of n-3 PUFA supply sources. We have successfully prepared high-quality scallop oil (SCO), containing high eicosapentaenoic acid and phospholipids contents, from the internal organs of the Japanese giant scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), which is the largest unutilized marine resource in Japan. This study compared the cholesterol-lowering effect of SCO with fish oil (menhaden oil, MO) and krill oil (KO) in obese type II diabetic KK-A y mice. Four-week-old male KK-A y mice were divided into four groups; the control group was fed the AIN93G-modified high-fat (3 wt% soybean oil + 17 wt% lard) diet, and the other three groups (SCO, MO, and KO groups) were fed a high-fat diet, in which 7 wt% of the lard in the control diet was replaced with SCO, MO, or KO, respectively. After the mice were fed the experimental diet for 42 days, their serum, liver, and fecal lipid contents as well as their liver mRNA expression levels were evaluated. The SCO group had significantly decreased cholesterol levels in the serum and liver; this decrease was not observed in the MO and KO groups. The cholesterol-lowering effect of SCO was partly mediated by the enhancement of fecal total sterol excretion and expression of liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis. These results indicate that dietary SCO exhibits serum and liver cholesterol-lowering effects that are not found in dietary MO and KO and can help prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

Interdependent Oxidation of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Isada Krill Oil Encapsulated with Maltodextrin by Spray-drying.

The major polyunsaturated fatty acids in krill oil extracted from Euphausia pacifica, known as Isada on the Sanriku coast, are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid. A kinetic model was proposed to explain the relationship between the fractions of unoxidized EPA (Y E) and unoxidized DHA (Y D) in the oil spray-dried with maltodextrin and stored at 25, 50, and 70℃. The relationship between Y E and Y D during storage was independent of the temperature and could be expressed using the proposed model. This indicated that the oxidation of EPA and DHA in krill oil was interdependent.

Preparation process optimization, structural characterization and in vitro digestion stability analysis of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) peptides-zinc chelate.

In the study, a novel kind of peptides-zinc (AKP-Zn) chelate was obtained using the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) peptides (AKP) as raw material, the reaction was carried out with the mass ratio of the AKP to ZnSO4·7H2O of 1:2 at pH 6.0 and 60 °C for 10 min. The structure and composition of the AKP, including particle size, Zeta potential, molecular weight distribution, amino acid composition, microstructure and surface elemental composition, changed significantly after chelating with zinc. The result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that zinc could be chelated by carboxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen atoms of the AKP. Furthermore, compared with zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate, the AKP-Zn chelate was more stable at various pH conditions and the simulated gastrointestinal digestion experiment. These findings would provide a scientific basis for developing new zinc supplements and the high-value utilization of Antarctic krill protein resource.

Krill Oil Has Different Effects on the Plasma Lipidome Compared with Fish Oil Following 30 Days of Supplementation in Healthy Women: A Randomized Controlled and Crossover Study.

This is a follow-up of our previous postprandial study and it focused on the plasma lipidomic responses to 30 days of krill oil (KO) versus fish oil (FO) supplementations in healthy women. Eleven women (aged 18-50 years) consumed KO or FO for 30 days in a randomized, cross-over study, with at least a four-week washout period between supplementations. The daily supplements provided 1.27 g/day of long-chain (LC) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from KO (containing 0.76 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 0.42 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and 1.44 g/day from FO (containing 0.79 g EPA, 0.47 g DHA). Fasting plasma samples at days 0, 15, and 30 were analyzed using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry. KO resulted in a significantly greater relative area under the curve (relAUC) for plasma EPA after 30 days. Lipidomic analysis showed that 26 of 43 lipid molecular species had a significantly greater relAUC in the KO group, while 17/43 showed a significantly lower relAUC compared with the FO group. More than 38% of the lipids species which increased more following KO contained omega-3 PUFA, while where FO was greater than KO, only 12% contained omega-3 PUFA. These data show that KO and FO do not have equivalent effects on the plasma lipidome.

The oxidation mechanism of phospholipids in Antarctic krill oil promoted by metal ions.

Antarctic krill oil (AKO) is an emerging dietary supplement containing metal ions that influence oil oxidation. Thus, this study focuses on the effect and mechanism of metal ions on phospholipid oxidation in AKO. Firstly, AKO containing Mg2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ (200 µmol/kg) were prepared separately and incubated at 60 °C for 6 days. Peroxide value (POV) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content showed that Fe3+ exhibited the most effective prooxidative activity, with the prooxidative activity of Fe2(SO4)3 (water-soluble) being stronger than that of ferric oleate (FeOl, fat-soluble). In addition, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) oxidation degree (more than 90%) was considerably greater than phosphatidylcholine (PC) oxidation degree (about 15%) in AKO. Differences in the structure of head group hindered chelation of PC with metal ions than PE due to electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance. Therefore, PC significantly inhibited, while PE promoted, the oxidation of polyunsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG), like fish oil (p < 0.01).

FlexPro MD®, a Combination of Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid, Reduces Pain Behavior and Inhibits Inflammatory Response in Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of adult disability. Since there is no cure for OA and no effective treatment to slow its progression, current pharmacologic treatments, such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), only alleviate symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, but do not inhibit the disease process. Moreover, chronic intake of these drugs may result in severe adverse effects. For these reasons, patients have turned to the use of various complementary and alternative approaches, including diverse dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, in an effort to improve symptoms and manage or slow disease progression. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-osteoarthritic effects of FlexPro MD® (a mixture of krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid; FP-MD) in a rat model of OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). FP-MD significantly ameliorated joint pain and decreased the severity of articular cartilage destruction in rats that received oral supplementation for 7 days prior to MIA administration and for 21 days thereafter. Furthermore, FP-MD treatment significantly reduced serum levels of the articular cartilage degeneration biomarkers cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and crosslinked C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and matrix-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, in the knee joint tissue. Our findings suggest that FP-MD is a promising dietary supplement for reducing pain, minimizing cartilage damage, and improving functional status in OA, without the disadvantages of previous dietary supplements and medicinal agents, including multiple adverse effects.

Lipase Treatment of Dietary Krill Oil, but Not Fish Oil, Enables Enrichment of Brain Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid.

SCOPE: Currently available omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not enrich the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of the adult brain because they are absorbed as triacylglycerol, whereas the transporter at the blood brain barrier requires lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-DHA. The hypothesis that treatment of krill oil (KO), which contains DHA/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at the SN2 position of phosphatidylcholine, with SN1-specific lipase will generate LPC-DHA/EPA and which can be absorbed intact and transported into the brain, is tested. METHODS: KO and fish oil (FO) are treated with Mucor meihei lipase, incorporated into AIN 93G diet, and fed to 2-month-old mice for 30 days. Fatty acid composition is analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Lipase-treated (LT) KO increases brain DHA and EPA, respectively, 5-and 70-fold better than untreated (UT) KO. FO, whether lipase-treated or not, has no effect on brain DHA/EPA. LTKO is also more efficient in enriching liver DHA/EPA, but less efficient than UTKO and FO in enriching adipose tissue and heart. Brain BDNF is significantly increased by LTKO, but only marginally by other preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment of dietary KO with lipase enables it to efficiently increase brain DHA/EPA because of the generation of LPC-DHA/EPA.

Concentrates of buttermilk and krill oil improve cognition in aged rats.

Cognitive decline is one of the hallmarks of aging and can vary from mild cognitive impairment to dementia to Alzheimer's disease. In addition to some lifestyle interventions, there is room for the use of nutraceuticals/functional foods as pharma-nutritional tools to lessen the burden of cognitive decline before it worsens. We previously reported the promising molecular actions of milk fat globule membranes and krill oil concentrates in a rat model of aging. In this study, we concentrated on the activities on cognition, using an array of validated tests. We also performed lipidomic analyses of plasma, erythrocytes, and different brain areas. We report lower emotional memory (contextual fear conditioning) in aged rats supplemented with concentrates of polar lipids from buttermilk or krill oil at doses that approximate human consumption. No other behavioral parameter was significantly influenced by the supplements, calling for further research to confirm or not the purported salubrious activities of polar lipids, namely those rich in ω3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, on cognitive decline.

Krill oil alleviates oxidative stress, iron accumulation and fibrosis in the liver and spleen of iron-overload rats.

Krill oil (KO) is a recent supplement which is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids are found in both krill oil and fish oil. In krill oil, they esterified to phospholipids, but in fish oil, they are esterified to triacylglycerols. The target of this study was to investigate whether KO could help against iron overload-induced toxicity in liver and spleen. Rats were randomly assigned into 3 categories: control rats, rats received iron in a drinking water for 8 weeks followed by either vehicle or KO (40 mg/kg) treatment for an extra 8 weeks. Extent of hepatic and splenic injury was assessed via biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations. KO effectively improved the microscopic features of liver and spleen. Moreover, it decreased the increased levels of serum transaminases, ALP, LDH, iron, and ferritin and increased albumin serum level as well. In addition, it restored the balance between oxidants and antioxidants in the hepatic and splenic tissues. Furthermore, it decreased HO-1 levels, upregulated the production of Nrf2, and limited the expression of MMP9. These findings altogether suggest that KO might be a new candidate for treatment of iron overload-induced toxicity. Graphical abstract Graphical abstract.

Krill Oil-Incorporated Liposomes As An Effective Nanovehicle To Ameliorate The Inflammatory Responses Of DSS-Induced Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and Omega-3 fatty acid (Omega-3) are promising therapeutic molecules for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PURPOSE: Based on the IBD therapeutic potential of nanoparticles, we herein sought to develop Omega-3-incorporated PC nanoparticles (liposomes) as an orally administrable vehicle for treating IBD. METHODS: Liposomes prepared with or without Omega-3 incorporation were compared in terms of colloidal stability and anitiinflammatory effects. RESULTS: The incorporation of free Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid) into liposomes induced time-dependent membrane fusion, resulting in particle size increase from nm to µm during storage. In contrast, krill oil incorporation into liposomes (KO liposomes) did not induce the fusion and the particle size maintained <250 nm during storage. KO liposomes also maintained colloidal stability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and exhibited a high capacity to entrap the IBD drug, budesonide (BDS). KO liposomes greatly suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cultured macrophages and completely restored inflammation-impaired membrane barrier function in an intestinal barrier model. In mice subjected to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, oral administration of BDS-entrapped KO liposomes suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α production (by 84.1%), interleukin-6 production (by 35.3%), and the systemic level of endotoxin (by 96.8%), and slightly reduced the macroscopic signs of the disease. CONCLUSION: Taken together, KO liposomes may have great potential as a nanovehicle for oral delivery of IBD drugs.

Plasma Kinetics of Choline and Choline Metabolites After A Single Dose of SuperbaBoostTM Krill Oil or Choline Bitartrate in Healthy Volunteers.

As an essential nutrient, the organic water-soluble compound choline is important for human health. Choline is required for numerous biological processes, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and it is an important prerequisite for structural integrity and the functioning of cells. A choline-rich diet provides crucial choline sources, yet additional choline dietary supplements might be needed to fully meet the body's requirements. Dependent on the structure of choline in different sources, absorption and metabolism may differ and strongly impact the bioavailability of circulating choline. This study in healthy volunteers aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of free choline and of selected choline metabolites between the single dose intake of phosphatidylcholine, present in SuperbaBoostTM krill oil, and choline bitartrate salt. Results demonstrate that albeit free choline levels in plasma were comparable between both choline sources, peak choline concentration was reached significantly later upon intake of SuperbaBoostTM. Moreover, the occurrence of choline metabolites differed between the study products. Levels of the biologically important metabolites betaine and dimethylglycine (DMG) were higher, while levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were substantially lower upon intake of SuperbaBoostTM compared to choline bitartrate.

Alterations of the Brain Proteome and Gut Microbiota in d-Galactose-Induced Brain-Aging Mice with Krill Oil Supplementation.

Brain aging is commonly associated with neurodegenerative disorders, but the ameliorative effect of krill oil and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, the components of krill oil were measured, and the antiaging effects of krill oil were investigated in mice with d-galactose (d-gal)-induced brain aging via proteomics and gut microbiota analysis. Krill oil treatment decreased the expression of truncated dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoproteins and proteins involved in the calcium signaling pathway. In addition, the concentrations of dopamine were increased in the serum (p < 0.05) and brain (p > 0.05) due to the enhanced expressions of tyrosine-3-monooxygenase and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase. Moreover, krill oil alleviated gut microbiota dysbiosis, decreased the abundance of bacteria that consume the precursor tyrosine, and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and short-chain fatty acid producers. This study revealed the beneficial effect of krill oil against d-gal-induced brain aging and clarified the underlying mechanism through proteomics and gut microbiota analysis.

Comparison of the effects of two different marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid sources, krill oil, and fish oil, on the healing of primary colonic anastomoses after colectomy applied Wistar albino rat model.

BACKGROUND: Oils from marine organisms have a different fatty acid composition. Fish oil (FO) has a high content of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids esterified to triacylglycerols; while in krill oil (KO), fatty acids are primarily esterified to phospholipids. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two different, marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid sources in the wound healing of colon anastomoses rat model. METHODS: For the study, we used 42 male Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into six groups with seven rats in each group-CO3: left colonic anastomosis (control group), sacrificed on the third day; KO3: left colonic anastomosis + oral KO, sacrificed on the third day; FO3: left colonic anastomosis + oral FO, sacrificed on the third day; CO7: left colonic anastomosis (control group), sacrificed on the seventh day; KO7: left colonic anastomosis + oral KO, sacrificed on the seventh day; FO7: left colonic anastomosis + oral FO, sacrificed on the seventh day. Peritoneal adhesions, anastomotic bursting pressures, hydroxyproline levels, and histological examination of the anastomotic tissue were evaluated. RESULTS: On day 7, bursting pressure and hydroxyproline measurements of the KO group was significantly higher than the FO group (p=0.012; p=0.002, respectively). Also, on day 7, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups according to inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast activity, neoangiogenesis, and collagen deposition in favor of the KO group (p=0.023; p=0.028; p=0.016; p=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both KO and FO supplementation in patients before colorectal surgery may reduce some risk of anastomotic leakage; and KO might be a better alternative and excellent omega-3 source.

Effect of Chronic Krill Oil Supplement on Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in the Hippocampus of Adult Rats with Previous Febrile Seizures.

We evaluated the effect of krill oil (KO) supplement on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in animals with previous febrile seizures (FSs) induced by hyperthermia to determine its effectiveness in seizure susceptibility and as an anticonvulsant. Male Wistar rats with FS separated into water (W, 1 mL), palm oil (PO, 300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL), or KO (300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL) groups. All drugs were administered chronically via the intragastric route. Electrical activity was recorded by intracranial EEG simultaneously with convulsive behavior. All animals' brains were processed by immunofluorescence against GFAP, NeuN, and connexins (Cx); cellular quantification was performed in hippocampus and pyramidal or granular layer thickness was evaluated with cresyl violet (CV) staining. The results showed a significant delay in convulsive behavior and a slight increased survival time after PTZ administration in the group treated with KO compared with PO and W groups. The epileptiform activity showed high amplitude and frequency, with no significant differences between groups, nor were there differences in the number and duration of discharge trains. KO and PO increased the number of astrocytes and the number of neurons compared with the W group. KO and PO decreased the expression of Cx36 without affecting Cx43 expression or the thickness of layers. Based on these data, we consider it important to perform more experiments to determine the anticonvulsant role of KO, taking into account the partial effect found in this study. KO could be used as a coadjuvant of traditional anticonvulsive treatments. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study was evaluated the anticonvulsive effect of a chronic krill oil (KO) supplement in animals with seizures. Results showed that KO had partial anticonvulsive effects measured by EEG activity and convulsive behavior analysis. These data justify further research that looks at KO supplementation as a prospective coadjuvant of pharmacologic management of seizure disorder.

Supplemental feeding of phospholipid-enriched alkyl phospholipid from krill relieves spontaneous atopic dermatitis and strengthens skin intercellular lipid barriers in NC/Nga mice.

Plasmalogen (Pls) is a glycerophospholipid derived from alkyl phospholipid (Alk) with antioxidant functions in vivo. The present study investigated the effects of ether phospholipids, such as Pls and Alk, on intercellular lipid barriers in the skin of NC/Nga mice, a model of atopic dermatitis (AD). NC/Nga mice fed Alk showed increased plasma levels of Alk and Pls. The AD-related changes in ceramide composition in the skin were abrogated by oral administration of Alk. Moreover, Alk suppressed skin inflammation in AD mice. These results indicate that Alk partially fortifies the stratum corneum lipid barrier and may be an effective treatment for AD. Abbreviations: Pls: plasmalogen; PlsCho: choline plasmalogen; PlsEtn: ethanolamine plasmalogen; Alk: alkyl phospholipid; TJ: tight junction; FA: fatty acid; AD: atopic dermatitis; SO: soybean oil; FO: fish oil; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid; EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid; TG: triglyceride; PL: phospholipid; RF: retention factor; AlkCho: choline-type alkyl phospholipid; AlkEtn: ethanolamine-type alkyl phospholipid; LC-MS/MS: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; FAR1: fatty acyl-coenzyme (Co)A reductase 1.