Midwayevaluation - Marie S. Ramsvik

ABSTRAKT

Status of the doctorate project “Bioactive Components in Krill”

One of the main health challenges today is the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. Because of changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns, several risk factors are becoming increasingly important causes of disability and premature death in both developed and newly developed countries. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated plasma lipid levels, obesity and inflammation that act independently and synergistically resulting in disease.

The mitochondria are key players in cellular energy turnover, and in the oxidative disposal of fatty acids, though diminished function can result in defective lipid oxidation and accumulation of metabolites. As mitochondrial metabolism is an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inappropriate function may influence the redox balance and increase oxidative damage. A large number of micro- and macronutrients are shown to be potent dietary signaling molecules that interact with regulatory pathways to directly or indirectly modulate the cell function. Omega-3 fatty acids and other bioactive compounds may synergistically improve metabolic diseases by improving mitochondrial function, as well as reducing dyslipidemia and inflammation, which are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

This doctorate project investigates biological effects of bioactive components from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and their influence on metabolic health, with emphasis on lipid metabolism, regulation of metabolic pathways and inflammation. Antarctic krill is a shrimp-like crustacean naturally rich in marine proteins, phospholipid-bound eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), and the antioxidant astaxanthine. The bioactive components investigated may influence metabolic pathways, and by doing so, attenuate metabolic disturbances, which implies a potential role and use of krill components as nutraceuticals in the prevention and combat of lifestyle-related diseases. The project utilizes animal studies as a model. In addition, one smaller scaled human intervention study has been conducted to investigate the effect on selected parameters.