Lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of omega 3 ethyl esters and krill oil: a randomized, cross-over, clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from different sources could have different lipid-lowering effects in humans. The main aim of our study was to compare the short-term triglyceride-lowering efficacy of krill oil and purified omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs in mildly overweight hypertriglyceridemic subjects.


METHODS
This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out in 25 moderately hypertriglyceridemic subjects (TG = 150-500 mg/dl). After a 4-week run-in, participants were allocated to treatment with similar pills containing omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs 1000 mg twice a day vs. krill oil 500 mg twice a day. After 4 weeks of treatment, participants were asked to observe a 4-week wash-out period, and they were then assigned to the alternative treatment for a further period of 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Although both PUFA sources were able to improve TG plasma levels, esterified omega 3 PUFAs were more efficacious than krill oil (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, only krill oil treatment was able to significantly improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI levels, compared to both baseline (p < 0.05) and end of treatment with esterified omega 3 PUFAs (p < 0.05) values. Both treatments were able to significantly reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels from the baseline (p < 0.05), but krill oil improved it more efficaciously than esterified omega 3 PUFAs (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Krill oil has lipid-lowering effects comparable with those obtained through a 4-fold higher dose of purified omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs in mildly overweight hypertriglyceridemic subjects, while more efficaciously reducing hs-CRP.
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Arrigo F G
AF
Cicero
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Martina
M
Rosticci
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Martino
M
Morbini
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Marcella
M
Cagnati
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Elisa
E
Grandi
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Angelo
A
Parini
Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Claudio
C
Borghi
docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; hyperlipidemia; inflammation; krill oil; omega 3 fatty acids