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Krill oil attenuates left ventricular dilatation after myocardial infarction in rats
Linn E Fosshaug1, Rolf K Berge, Jan O Beitnes
1Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway. l.e.lillerud@medisin.uio.no
Insights
Krill oil supplementation increased n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in heart tissue. Pre-treatment with krill oil attenuated cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction in rats.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality in Western countries.
- n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) show promise in improving cardiac function and reducing mortality post-myocardial infarction (MI).
- Krill oil, rich in phospholipid-bound n-3 PUFA, differs from fish oil and may have distinct biological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of krill oil on cardiac remodeling after experimental MI in rats.
- To determine if krill oil supplementation can alter n-3 PUFA composition in cardiac tissue.
- To assess the impact of pre-treatment with krill oil on cardiac function and structure post-MI.
Main Methods:
- Rats were randomized to receive krill oil or control feed 14 days before MI induction.
- Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function and remodeling at 7 days and 7 weeks post-MI.
- Analysis of fatty acid composition in left ventricular (LV) tissue and measurement of cardiac remodeling markers.
Main Results:
- Krill oil pre-treatment significantly attenuated LV dilatation and reduced heart and lung weights post-MI.
- LV tissue in krill oil-treated rats showed a higher proportion of n-3 PUFA compared to controls.
- Reduced mRNA levels for LV stress, matrix remodeling, and inflammation markers were observed.
Conclusions:
- Krill oil supplementation effectively increases myocardial n-3 PUFA levels.
- Administering krill oil prior to MI induction helps to attenuate adverse LV remodeling.
- Krill oil represents a viable nutritional strategy for managing cardiac remodeling post-MI.
Background:
In the western world, heart failure (HF) is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular mortality. Supplement with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to improve cardiac function in HF and to decrease mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). The molecular structure and composition of n-3 PUFA varies between different marine sources and this may be of importance for their biological effects. Krill oil, unlike fish oil supplements, contains the major part of the n-3 PUFA in the form of phospholipids. This study investigated effects of krill oil on cardiac remodeling after experimental MI. Rats were randomised to pre-treatment with krill oil or control feed 14 days before induction of MI. Seven days post-MI, the rats were examined with echocardiography and rats in the control group were further randomised to continued control feed or krill oil feed for 7 weeks before re-examination with echocardiography and euthanization.
Results:
The echocardiographic evaluation showed significant attenuation of LV dilatation in the group pretreated with krill oil compared to controls. Attenuated heart weight, lung weight, and levels of mRNA encoding classical markers of LV stress, matrix remodeling and inflammation reflected these findings. The total composition of fatty acids were examined in the left ventricular (LV) tissue and all rats treated with krill oil showed a significantly higher proportion of n-3 PUFA in the LV tissue, although no difference was seen between the two krill oil groups.
Conclusions:
Supplement with krill oil leads to a proportional increase of n-3 PUFA in myocardial tissue and supplement given before induction of MI attenuates LV remodeling.
