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The Hypolipidemic Effect of an Ethyl Ester of Algal-Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rats Fed a High-Fructose Diet

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as a triacylglycerol (TAG) or an ethyl ester are protective against cardiovascular disease. Both have significant TAG-lowering effects. We developed a concentrated ethyl ester of DHA (MATK-90, 900 mg/g) using microalgae as its source. This study evaluated the effects that different doses of MATK-90 had on lipid levels and clinical parameters in male Wistar rats fed a high-fructose diet used to induce hypertriglyceridemia (TAG ≥ 300 mg/dL). Effects of MATK-90 were compared to those produced by a pharmaceutical product (Lovaza, formerly Omacor, P-OM3; 465 mg EPA + 375 mg DHA), a TAG oil used in food (DHASCO, algal-DHA, 40% DHA by weight), and a control (corn oil). Doses of MATK-90 (0.6, 1.3, 2.5, 5.0 g kg−1 day−1), algal-DHA (2 g DHA kg−1 day−1), and P-OM3 (5.0 g kg−1 day−1) were administered by oral gavage for 28 days. A significant dose-related decrease was observed in TAG and cholesterol levels in all but the lowest dose of MATK-90 treatment group vs. control. The high-dose group of MATK-90 and the P-OM3 group produced similar reductions in TAG levels.

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Abbreviations

Apo E-KO:

Apolipoprotein E-knockout mice

CHOL:

Cholesterol

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

GRAS:

Generally recognized as safe

HDL-C:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

HTG:

Hypertriglyceridemia

LC-PUFAs:

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

LDL-C:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LSMEAN:

Least square means

P-OM3:

Lovaza™, formerly Omacor®

RANCOVA:

Repeated measure analysis of covariance

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Joan F. Flanagan from at Charles River Laboratories who provided thoughtful discussions relating to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Martek Biosciences Corporation, 6480 Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD, 21045, USA

    Alan S. Ryan, Eileen Bailey-Hall, Edward B. Nelson & Norman Salem Jr

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  1. Alan S. Ryan
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Correspondence to Alan S. Ryan.

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Ryan, A.S., Bailey-Hall, E., Nelson, E.B. et al. The Hypolipidemic Effect of an Ethyl Ester of Algal-Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rats Fed a High-Fructose Diet. Lipids 44, 817–826 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-009-3330-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-009-3330-6

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