Encapsulated Salmon Polar Lipids Modestly Reduce Postprandial Platelet Sensitivity to PAF and Thrombin in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

(A) Temporal change in EC50 values of PAF-induced platelet aggregation in human platelet-rich plasma across all treatment conditions. Data are presented as mean percentage change from baseline (ΔC/C EC50; n = 5) with error bars representing the standard error of the mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using a two-factor repeated-measures ANOVA (treatment × time). Where significant interactions were detected, Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons were applied. *Indicates p < 0.05 for significant pairwise differences between treatments at a given time point. **Indicates p < 0.05 for significant main effects of treatment or time. An increase in EC50 reflects a reduction in platelet sensitivity to PAF. (B) Boxplots showing the area-under-the-curve (AUC) for ΔPAF EC50 (0–4 h) across all treatment conditions. Boxes represent the interquartile range (IQR), horizontal lines indicate the median, and whiskers show the range excluding outliers; circles represent values >1.5 × IQR identified during outlier screening. AUC data were analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA after confirming normality (Shapiro–Wilk) and sphericity (Mauchly’s test). A significant main effect of treatment was detected (p < 0.05), with post-hoc contrasts demonstrating higher ΔAUC in the HDSNR condition compared with placebo. Abbreviations: HDSNR, high-dose stomach non-resistant capsule contained 0.5 g of SPL; IQR, interquartile range; HDSR, high-dose stomach resistant capsule contained 0.5 g of SPL; LDSNR, low-dose stomach non-resistant capsule containing 0.25 g of SPL; LDSR, low-dose stomach resistant capsule contained 0.25 g of SPL. PAF, platelet-activating factor; PLAC, placebo control.

 Our paper on postprandial effect of a novel salmon extract

   Abstract

The postprandial effects of a novel food-grade extracted salmon polar lipids (SPL) supplement against platelet-activating factor (PAF) and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a human pilot study was evaluated. This study was double-blinded, crossover, and placebo controlled in design. Five healthy volunteers completed 4 h time-course trials on 5 separate days. Blood was drawn at baseline before subjects consumed a standardized breakfast with one of the following treatments: a low-dose (0.25 g) or a high-dose (0.5 g) of SPL encapsulated within a stomach resistant capsule (LDSR and HDSR respectively) or a non-resistant capsule (LDSNR and HDSNR, respectively), or placebo capsules containing food-grade glycerin (0.5 g; Placebo). Blood was analyzed at 1 h intervals for 4 h. Among the treatments tested, the high-dose non-resistant capsule (HDSNR) produced the clearest postprandial effects, inducing significant increases in EC50 (reduced platelet sensitivity) for PAF at 2–3 h and for thrombin at 3–4 h post-ingestion. Smaller or delayed effects were observed with the high-dose resistant capsule (HDSR), while low-dose formulations produced minimal changes. Postprandial plasma glucose, lipid profile (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG), fibrinogen, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time remained unaffected across all trials. This pilot study provides the first in vivo indication that SPL supplementation may modestly attenuate platelet responsiveness to both PAF and thrombin without altering standard haemostatic or metabolic biomarkers. Larger controlled studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and define optimal dosing and formulation strategies.

Σολομός ιχθυοτροφείου: Είναι υγιεινός;

 Σήμερα, ο άγριος σολομός είναι ένα είδος υπό εξαφάνιση και γι’ αυτό η αγορά και συνεπώς και οι καταναλωτές, έχουν στραφεί στον σολομό ιχθυοτροφείου. Το μέγεθος της παγκόσμιας αγοράς σολομού, έφτασε τους 3,5 εκατομμύρια τόνους το 2022. Ο Όμιλος IMARC αναμένει ότι η αγορά θα φτάσει τους 4,3 εκατομμύρια τόνους έως το 2028, παρουσιάζοντας ρυθμό ανάπτυξης (CAGR) 3,54% κατά την περίοδο 2023-2028.

Η διαμάχη σχετικά με την κατανάλωση σολομού εκτροφής είναι περίπλοκη και οι αναφορές που είναι διαθέσιμες στα μέσα ενημέρωσης, στο διαδίκτυο και σε επιστημονικές δημοσιεύσεις συχνά φαίνονται αντιφατικές. Βέβαια μία γρήγορη αναζήτηση στη Google οδηγεί στο συμπέρασμα πως ο σολομός ιχθυοτροφείου είναι επικίνδυνος για την υγεία του καταναλωτή. Είναι όμως έτσι;

από το cibum.gr

Συμπλήρωμα διατροφής ιχθυελαίου από παραπροϊόντα ιχθυοκαλλιέργειας: Νέα επιστημονική ανακάλυψη με… “ουσία”

 Του Γιάννη Ζαμπετάκη*

Τα ιχθυέλαια που είναι σήμερα διαθέσιμα στο φαρμακείο της γειτονιάς σας προέρχονται είτε από σαρδέλες είτε από πλαγκτόν. Τα πρώτα είναι τα λεγόμενα fish oils και τα δεύτερα είναι τα λεγόμενα krill oils. Πόσο βιώσιμη όμως είναι η παραγωγή τους;

Για τα μεν fish oils, οι σαρδέλες ψαρεύονται στο Περού (στον Νότιο Ειρηνικό ωκεανό) και από εκεί μεταφέρονται στην Κίνα όπου εκχυλίζεται το ιχθυέλαιο και κατόπιν έρχεται στην Ευρώπη όπου γίνεται η τυποποίησή του. Κάθε χρόνο αλιεύονται περίπου 4.000.000 τόνοι σαρδέλας για τις ανάγκες της βιομηχανίας των ιχθυελαίων, μια ποσότητα που καθιστά την εν λόγω διαδικασία μη βιώσιμη. Για το δε ζωοπλαγκτόν, υπάρχουν σοβαρές επιφυλάξεις ότι η αλλίευσή του για την παραγωγή Krill oil διαταράσει την ισορροπία της διατροφικής αλυσίδας.

Τα τυποποιημένα πλέον ιχθυέλαια περιέχουν υψηλά επίπεδα των δύο πιο σημαντικών ωμέγα-3 οξέων, δηλαδή του EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) και του DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Οι ισχυρισμοί υγείας σχετικά με αυτά τα δύο οξέα είναι λίγο θολοί ακόμα και σήμερα. Εικάζεται ότι βοηθούν στην λειτουργία της καρδιάς και του εγκεφάλου και ίσως βοηθούν κατά της φλεγμονής. Κατά το μεγάλο ταξίδι των σαρδελών (από το Περού στην Κίνα) και των ιχθυελαίων (από την Κίνα στην Ευρώπη), τα ιχθυέλαια οξειδώνονται σε μεγάλο ποσοστό και δεν ξέρουμε πόσο οξειδωμένο είναι το έλαιο που βρίσκεται στις κάψουλες που αγοράζουμε από το φαρμακείο.

Η ομάδα μας από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Λίμερικ στην Ιρλανδία, έχει μια διαφορετική προσέγγιση: χρησιμοποιούμε κεφάλια σολομών (ένα παραπροϊόν της ιχθυοκαλλιέργειας με μικρή αξία) από την μεγαλύτερη εταιρεία ιχθυοκαλλιέργειας στην Ιρλανδία (που παράγει βιολογικό σολομό), εκχυλίζουμε τα πολικά λιποειδή και τα περικλύουμε σε κάψουλες. Με την εκχύλιση που χρησιμοποιούμε στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Λίμερικ (University of Limerick, UL), μπορούμε να εκχυλίσουμε τα πιο δραστικά συστατικά από τα κεφάλια των σολομών και έτσι οι κάψουλές μας έχουν ισχυρές δράσεις κατά της συσσωμάτωσης των αιμοπεταλίων και της φλεγμονής. Μέχρι σήμερα έχουμε αναπτύξει την μέθοδο εκχύλισης χρησιμοποιώντας food grade διαλύτες και οι πρώτες μας κλινικές μελέτες δείχνουν ότι η ημερήσια κατανάλωση μιας πολύ μικρής ποσότητας πολικών λιποειδών από σολομό παρέχει σημαντική προστασία έναντι της φλεγμονής. Είμαστε σε διαδικασία υποβολής πατέντας για την εν λόγω εφεύρεσή μας γι’αυτό το λόγο δεν μπορώ να αναφέρω πιο πολλές λεπτομέρειες αυτή την στιγμή.

Ο σκοπός αυτού του άρθρου είναι να δείξει ότι μπορούμε να φτιάξουμε συμπληρώματα διατροφής κατά των καρδιαγγειακών ασθενειών από άλλες πηγές και να μην εξαρτώμαστε από τις σαρδέλες του Περού ή το ζωοπλαγκτόν. Παρόμοιες καρδιοπροσταυτικές δράσεις έχουμε βρει σε σειρά γαλακτοκομικών και ιχθυηρών προϊόντων.

Σχετικές δημοσιεύσεις μας είναι οι εξής:

In Vitro Antithrombotic Properties of Salmon (Salmo salar) Phospholipids in a Novel Food-Grade Extract

The effect of ovine milk fermentation on the antithrombotic properties of polar lipids 

Caprine milk fermentation enhances the antithrombotic properties of cheese polar lipids

*O Γιάννης Ζαμπετάκης είναι Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Χημείας Τροφίμων, Πρόεδρος του τμήματος Βιολογικών Επιστημών του Πανεπιστημίου Λίμερικ στην Ιρλανδία

new paper from our team

our latest paper was published yesterday...

Bioprospecting for Antithrombotic Polar Lipids from Salmon, Herring, and Boarfish By-Products 

by Alexandros Tsoupras ^1,*, Eoin O’Keeffe ¹, Ronan Lordan ^1,2, Shane Redfern ¹ and Ioannis Zabetakis ^1,2

¹

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland

²

Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract

Marine polar lipids (PLs) have exhibited promising cardioprotection. In this study, marine by-products such as salmon heads (SHs), their brain, eyes and main optic nerves (SBEON), and head-remnants after SBEON removal (RemSH), as well as herring fillets (HFs), herring heads (HHs) and minced boarfish (MB), were evaluated as potential sustainable sources of such bioactive PLs. The antithrombotic bioactivities of PLs derived from these marine by-products were assessed for the first time in human platelets against platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin, collagen, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), while their fatty acid composition was evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). PLs from all marine by-products tested possess strong antithrombotic activities against aggregation of human platelets induced by all platelet agonists tested. RemSH, SBEON, HHs, HFs, and MB exhibited strong anti-PAF effects, similar to those previously reported for salmon fillets. PLs from MB had the strongest anti-collagen effects and PLs from SHs and SBEON were the most active against thrombin and ADP. PLs from HHs had similar antithrombotic effects with those from HFs in all agonists. RemSH was less active in all agonists, suggesting that SBEON is the main source of bioactive PLs in SHs. All PLs were rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3PUFA), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid, with favourable low values of the ω6/ω3 ratio. Salmon, herring, and boarfish by-products are rich sources of bioactive marine PLs with potent antithrombotic and cardioprotective properties. View Full-Text

Eurofed Lipid, Wed 19th morning : Antithrombotic effect of salmon polar lipids

the third presentation from our group on Marine Polar lipids is now scheduled for Wed 19th Sept morning

FLIPS research: salmon lipids

with Francesca in PESS @ UL

Our postprandial study is on day 3. This morning it's Francesca with myself having the "magic capsule" (or a placebo). It's a double blind study so we will not know anything for few weeks more.
A big thank you to our nurse, Elaine, and to our great volunteers!
Ioannis

the impact of marine fish to n-3 fatty acids in human plasma lipids

Fig. 1. Detection of different lipid classes in three mass spectrometer scanning modes. (A) Phosphatidylcholine (PC), lyso PC (LPC), PC ether (PCO) and sphingomyelin (SM) species were detected using a precursor ion scan for m/z 184. (B) Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lyso PE (LPE) and PE ether (PEO) species were detected via neutral loss of the PE head group, m/z 141. (C) Following solid phase extraction, triacylglycerols (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) were detected in enhanced mass spectrum mode free of phospholipid interference.

 

 

Selective enrichment of n-3 fatty acids in human plasma lipid motifs following intake of marine fish☆

Author links open overlay panelPetrŽáček^a12MichaelBukowski^a1LuAnnJohnson^aSusan K.Raatz^abMatthewPicklo^ac

Plasma levels of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are associated with a reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic, age-related diseases like Alzheimer's disease. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that n-3 LCPUFA fatty acids in human plasma are incorporated into selective lipid species following intake of n-3 LCPUFA rich marine fish. To test this hypothesis, we performed lipidomic analysis on plasma samples from a clinical trial in which participants consumed increasing amounts of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Under basal conditions, n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA were selectively incorporated into plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) species containing saturated fatty acids (SFA) versus unsaturated fatty acids as the complementary fatty acids. LCPUFA were incorporated into selective triacylglycerol (TAG) species with complementary diacylglyceryl environments of 34:1 or 34:2 (for 20:5 and 22:5) and 36:2>36:3>36:4 and 36:1 (for 20:4 and 22:6). High n-3 LCPUFA marine fish intake resulted in selective increases of PC SFA_n-3 LCPUFA species and LCPUFA-containing TAG species. Changes in cholesteryl esters and phosphatidylethanolamines also occurred following fish intake. Our results highlight the importance of discriminating phospholipid and TAG species and dietary background when evaluating lipidomic outcomes and disease associations.

The Salmon Polar Lipids of Knowledge

Long ago when Fionn mac Cumhaill, the great leader of the Fianna of Ireland, was still a young boy he was sent to live with a very wise man named Finnegas. Finnegas was a poet who lived on the banks of the river Boyne and was renowned throughout Ireland for his vast knowledge.

As well as being renowned for his skills in composing and reciting poetry Finnegas knew more about the ways of the world, including the secrets of the birds and animals and plants and stars, than any other man in Ireland.

It was because of his vast knowledge that Fionn had been sent to learn from Finnegas. Fionn loved to listen to the old man’s wonderful stories and his many words of wisdom which he too, in time, would learn to recite. In exchange for the wisdom Finnegas would pass on to him Fionn would help about the house, cooking, cleaning and fishing for the old man.

[you can read the rest of the story here]

- - -

postprandial study under way with the precious support of Elaine

today, it was a great day in the lab; we did a trial run for the postprandial study that is under way in UL. The data are really exciting!


Salmon Polar Lipids do have some secrets against inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.

Watch this space and eat your salmon! It is really good for your heart!

Ioannis
ioannis.zabetakis@ul.ie


p.s. if you want to take part in our study, please drop me a line 😊

Structural Elucidation of Irish Organic Farmed Salmon (Salmo salar) Polar Lipids with Antithrombotic Activities

just published in Marine Drugs

Alexandros Tsoupras ¹, Ronan Lordan ¹, Martina Demuru ^1,2, Katie Shiels ³, Sushanta Kumar Saha ³, Constantina Nasopoulou ^4,* and Ioannis Zabetakis ¹

¹

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland

²

Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy

³

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, V94 E8YF Limerick, Ireland

⁴

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, GR 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 17 April 2018 / Revised: 16 May 2018 / Accepted: 22 May 2018 / Published: 23 May 2018

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-derived Bioactive Peptides and Lipids Applied in Non-communicable Diseases)

View Full-Text   |   Download PDF [3602 KB, uploaded 23 May 2018]   |  

Browse Figures

 

 

Graphical Abstract

 

Abstract

While several marine polar lipids (PL) have exhibited cardioprotective properties through their effects on the platelet-activating factor (PAF) pathways, salmon PL have not been tested so far. In this study, the antithrombotic activities of salmon PL were assessed in human platelets and the structural characterisation of bioactive salmon PL was performed by GC-MS and LC-MS analyses. PL from fillets of Irish organic farmed salmon (Salmo salar) were extracted and separated into several lipid subclasses by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), while their fatty acid profile was fully characterised by GC-MS. Salmon total lipids (TL), total neutral lipids (TNL), total polar lipids (TPL), and each PL subclass obtained by TLC were further assessed for their in vitro effects towards PAF-induced and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in human platelets. Salmon PL exhibited antithrombotic effects on human platelet aggregation, mostly through their strong inhibitory effects against the PAF pathway with IC₅₀ values comparable to other marine PL, but with lower effects towards the thrombin pathway. PL fractions corresponding to phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives exhibited the most potent anti-PAF effects, while LC-MS analysis putatively elucidated their structure/function relationship. Several diacyl-PC/PE and alkyl-acyl-PC/PE species containing mostly docosahexaenoic acid at their sn-2 glycerol-backbone may be responsible for the bioactivity. The data presented suggests that salmon contains PL with strong antithrombotic bioactivities.

 

 View Full-Text

 

Keywords: salmon; polar lipids; platelet aggregation; platelet-activating factor (PAF); thrombin; antithrombotic; LC-MS; GC-MS; phosphatidylcholine; phosphatidylethanolamine; polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

a Chlorella vulgaris diet for salmon

photo from http://www.nutraingredients.com/Manufacturers/Algae-producer-Nutress-has-new-Chlorella-Vulgaris-line

 Chlorella vulgaris is one of the most studied microalga for industrial applications and it could be added to the diet of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) as new research suggests.

• Apparent digestibility of Atlantic salmon diets containing two C. vulgaris meals at five levels was determined.

• Single-ingredient apparent digestibility coefficients for C. vulgaris meals are reported for Atlantic salmon.
• Essential amino acid indices are high (0.87–0.89) for whole-cell and cell-ruptured C. vulgaris meals.
• Digestibility of essential amino acids is high (83–95%) for cell-ruptured C. vulgaris meal.
• Inclusion of cell-ruptured C. vulgaris meal increased dietary carbohydrate and starch digestibility by up to 20%.

Post-doctoral poisition available

                                       

The University of Limerick (UL) with over 13,000 students and 1,300 staff is an energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education, research and scholarship. The dynamic, entrepreneurial and pioneering values which drive UL’s mission and strategy ensures that we capitalise on local, national and international engagement and connectivity.  We are renowned for providing an outstanding student experience and conducting leading edge research.  Our commitment is to make a difference by shaping the future through educating and empowering our students. UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 130 hectares with the River Shannon as a unifying focal point. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance this exceptional learning and research environment.

Applications are invited for the following position:

Faculty of Science + Engineering

School of Natural Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences

Post Doctoral Researcher Salmon Lipids and Inflammation (Specific Purpose Contract)

Salary Scale: €37,750 – €46,255 p.a. (maximum starting salary €37,750 p.a.)

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from: http://www.ul.ie/hrvacancies/

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 18^th April 2017.

Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.

Please note your application must include:

A letter of introduction indicating how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job description.

A completed online Application Form (separate application forms must be submitted for each post applied for).

Please email erecruitment@ul.ie if you experience any difficulties

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and committed to selection on merit.

= = = =

Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:
Dr Ioannis Zabetakis
Department of Biological Sciences
Univeristy of Limerick
Email: ioannis.zabetakis@ul.ie

          

Let astaxanthin be thy medicine

Astaxanthin is known as a "marine carotenoid" and occurs in a wide variety of living organisms such as salmon, shrimp, crab, and red snapper. 

Astaxanthin antioxidant activity has been reported to be more than 100 times greater than that of vitamin E against lipid peroxidation and approximately 550 times more potent than that of vitamin E for singlet oxygen quenching. 

Astaxanthin exhibits no pro-oxidant activity and its main site of action is on/in the cell membrane. To date, various important benefits suggested for human health include immunomodulation, anti-stress, anti-inflammation, LDL cholesterol oxidation suppression, enhanced skin health, improved semen quality, attenuation of eye fatigue, increased sports performance and endurance, limiting exercised-induced muscle damage, and the suppression of the development of lifestyle related diseases such as obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. 

Recently, there has been an explosive increase worldwide in both the research and demand for natural astaxanthin in human health applications. 

 so...

 Let astaxanthin be thy medicine