Bioequivalence of Docosahexaenoic acid from different algal oils in capsules and in a DHA-fortified food.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, is important for eye and brain development and ongoing visual, cognitive, and cardiovascular health. Unlike fish-sourced oils, the bioavailability of DHA from vegetarian-sourced (algal) oils has not been formally assessed. We assessed bioequivalence of DHA oils in capsules from two different algal strains versus bioavailability from an algal-DHA-fortified food. Our 28-day randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study compared bioavailability of (a) two different algal DHA oils in capsules ("DHASCO-T" and "DHASCO-S") at doses of 200, 600, and 1,000 mg DHA per day (n = 12 per group) and of (b) an algal-DHA-fortified food (n = 12). Bioequivalence was based on changes in plasma phospholipid and erythrocyte DHA levels. Effects on arachidonic acid (ARA), docosapentaenoic acid-n-6 (DPAn-6), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were also determined. Both DHASCO-T and DHASCO-S capsules produced equivalent DHA levels in plasma phospholipids and erythrocytes. DHA response was dose-dependent and linear over the dose range, plasma phospholipid DHA increased by 1.17, 2.28 and 3.03 g per 100 g fatty acid at 200, 600, and 1,000 mg dose, respectively. Snack bars fortified with DHASCO-S oil also delivered equivalent amounts of DHA on a DHA dose basis. Adverse event monitoring revealed an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Two different algal oil capsule supplements and an algal oil-fortified food represent bioequivalent and safe sources of DHA.
Arterburn
Linda M
LM
Martek Biosciences Corporation, 6480 Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD 21045, USA.
Oken
Harry A
HA
Hoffman
James P
JP
Bailey-Hall
Eileen
E
Chung
Gloria
G
Rom
Dror
D
Hamersley
Jacqueline
J
McCarthy
Deanna
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002214:Capsules; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D002214:Capsules; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D010919:Placebos; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid
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