Krill Oil Prevents Atherosclerosis in an Experimental Model

• Published in: Kardiyovasküler tıp e dergisi Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 150 - 157
• Main Authors: Gültekin, Yıldırım, Bolat, Ali, Tekeli Kunt, Atike
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ismir Galenos Publishing House 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Cholesterol; Coronary vessels; Diabetes; Diet; Experiments; Fatty acids; Fish oils; Glucose; High density lipoprotein; Insulin; Laboratory animals; Lipids; Metabolic disorders; Prevention; Statins; Statistical analysis; Vein & artery diseases; Japan
• ISSN: 2147-1924; 2147-1924
• DOI: 10.32596/ejcm.galenos.2021-05-029

Objectives: The major aim of coronary artery disease management is to reduce the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation that is obtained from fish has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events. Krill (Euphasia superba) are small crustaceans that live in cold seas like the Antarctic Ocean. Recently, due to its high content, and form of the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), krill oil has become popular in researches dealing with the prevention of cardiac disorders and cancer. This study aims to analyze the effect of krill oil supplements on atherosclerosis in rats treated with high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats were split into two groups: the control group (C group) and the krill oil group (KO group). Each group was fed with a high-fat diet for six months and streptozotocin was injected subcutaneously to obtain an experimental model of atherosclerosis. The KO group received a 50 mg daily supplement of krill oil orally. Rats were sacrificed after six months for biochemical and histopathological examinations of the aorta and coronary arteries. Results: The atherosclerosis model was confirmed by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and glucose, also decreased insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The atherosclerosis index (TC/HDL) was lower in the C group compared to the KO group (p=0.012). Serum native thiol and total thiol levels were higher; however, the disulfide level was lower in the KO group. This result was statistically significant (p<0.001). In the KO group, there was a significant decrease in the number of foam cells discovered in the tissue examined from the aorta and coronary arteries with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Conclusions: The present study indicates that krill oil supplements attenuate the number of foam cells in the aorta and coronary arteries, indicating the preventive effect of krill oil on atherosclerosis.