Dataset Information

Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic polar-lipid rich extract from microalgae Nannochloropsis decreases plasma triglycerides and cholesterol in a real-world normolipidemic supplement consumer population.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

AlmegaPL^® is an oil rich in polar-lipid (> 15% w/w) derived from the microalga Nannochloropsis, that contains exclusively eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA > 25% w/w), without the DHA that is present in all other natural sources of omega-3. Previous findings from a randomized controlled clinical trial demonstrated the ability of AlmegaPL^® supplementation to reduce cholesterol levels.

Methods

In this post-market cohort study, we built upon previous findings and targeted the actual end-users of the supplement. Participants were recruited from a new subscriber database of AlmegaPL^® capsules (1000-1100 mg/day) to capture the complexity of real-world clinical and consumer settings. Changes in circulating triglycerides (TG), remnant cholesterol (RC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were monitored at baseline, Month 3, and Month 6 of supplementation using the at-home Baseline Heart Health Testing Kit by Imaware^® (Houston, TX, USA).

Results

Participants, who had, on average, normal TG level at baseline (1.62 ± 0.60 mmol/L), experienced a significant and progressive decrease in TG at Month 3 (8.0%; -0.13 ± 0.59 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and Month 6 (14.2%; -0.23 ± 0.64 mmol/L; p < 0.001) (primary outcome). Furthermore, after 6 months of supplementation, TC and non-HDL-cholesterol decreased by 5.0% (-0.26 ± 0.98 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and 5.5% (-0.21 ± 0.86 mmol/L; p < 0.001) respectively, primarily driven by a 14.9% reduction in RC (-0.11 ± 0.29 mmol/L; p < 0.001).

Discussion

Consistent with our previous clinical trial, the decrease in RC was not coupled to an increase in LDL, which seems to be a benefit associated with EPA-only based formulations. In addition, this study demonstrated the AlmegaPL^® capacity to maintain already healthy TG levels by further inducing a 14.9% decrease. Collectively, these findings highlight AlmegaPL^® uniqueness as a natural over-the-counter option for EPA-only polar lipid that appears particularly effective in maintaining blood lipid levels in a generally healthy, normolipidemic population.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05267301.

SUBMITTER: Ganuza E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10876867 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic polar-lipid rich extract from microalgae <i>Nannochloropsis</i> decreases plasma triglycerides and cholesterol in a real-world normolipidemic supplement consumer population.

Ganuza Eneko E Etomi Eghogho H EH Olson Magdalena M Whisner Corrie M CM

Frontiers in nutrition 20240206

<h4>Introduction</h4>AlmegaPL<sup>®</sup> is an oil rich in polar-lipid (> 15% w/w) derived from the microalga <i>Nannochloropsis</i>, that contains exclusively eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA > 25% w/w), without the DHA that is present in all other natural sources of omega-3. Previous findings from a randomized controlled clinical trial demonstrated the ability of AlmegaPL<sup>®</sup> supplementation to reduce cholesterol levels.<h4>Methods</h4>In this post-market cohort study, we built upon previou ...[more]

PMID: 38379539

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundAstaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid with high antioxidant power used in different fields as healthcare, food/feed supplementation and as pigmenting agent in aquaculture. Primary producers of astaxanthin are some species of microalgae, unicellular photosynthetic organisms, as Haematococcus lacustris. Astaxanthin production by cultivation of Haematococcus lacustris is costly due to low biomass productivity, high risk of contamination and the requirement of downstream extraction processes, causing an extremely high price on the market. Some microalgae species are also primary producers of omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients for humans, being related to cardiovascular wellness, and required for visual and cognitive development. One of the main well-known producers of omega-3 fatty eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the marine microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana (named also Microchloropsis gaditana): this species has been already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption and it is characterized by a fast grow phenotype.ResultsHere we obtained by chemical mutagenesis a Nannochloropsis gaditana mutant strain, called S4, characterized by increased carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio. S4 strain showed improved photosynthetic activity, increased lipid productivity and increased ketocarotenoids accumulation, producing not only canthaxanthin but also astaxanthin, usually found only in traces in the WT strain. Ketocarotenoids produced in S4 strain were extractible in different organic solvents, with the highest efficiency observed upon microwaves pre-treatment followed by methanol extraction. By cultivation of S4 strain at different irradiances it was possible to produce up to 1.3 and 5.2 mgL-1 day-1 of ketocarotenoids and EPA respectively, in a single cultivation phase, even in absence of stressing conditions. Genome sequencing of S4 strain allowed to identify 199 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP): among the mutated genes, mutations in a carotenoid oxygenase gene and in a glutamate synthase gene could explain the different carotenoids content and the lower chlorophylls content, respectively.ConclusionsBy chemical mutagenesis and selection of strain with increased carotenoids to chlorophyll ratio it was possible to isolate a new Nannochloropsis gaditana strain, called S4 strain, characterized by increased lipids and ketocarotenoids accumulation. S4 strain can thus be considered as novel platform for ketocarotenoids and EPA production for different industrial applications.