Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways mediated, at least in part, by leukotrienes and other lipid mediators. Experimental studies have shown that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel,Perna canaliculus, is effective in inhibiting 5′-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways responsible for production of eicosanoids, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. The aim of this study was to assess its effect on symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in expired breath condensate as a marker of airway inflammation in patients with steroid-naïve atopic asthma in a double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Forty six patients with atopic asthma received two capsules of lipid extract (Lyprinol®) or placebob.i.d.for 8 weeks. Each capsule of lipid extract contained 50 mg ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100 mg olive oil, whereas placebo capsules contained only 150 mg olive oil.There was a significant decrease in daytime wheeze, the concentration of exhaled H2O2and an increase in morning PEF in the lipid extract group compared to the placebo group. There were no significant side-effects.The authors conclude that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel may have some beneficial effect in patients with atopic asthma.

n-3 Fatty acids and asthma

“…PEF has been reported in some studies as a marker for lung function. Emelynov et al showed a significant increase in morning PEF with 8 weeks of supplementation with a low dose of n-3 fatty acids (50 mg EPA + DHA per d) in mild-moderate atopic asthmatics (n 46; aged 18-56 years) (116) . In addition, Surette et al reported a significant improvement in quality of life and asthma management scores (including symptoms) assessed by questionnaires after 3 weeks of supplementation (0·5 g EPA + 0·75 g DHA per d; n 65, mild-moderate asthmatics) (117) .…”

Obesity, Nutrition, and Asthma in Children

“…[67][68][69][70] Increases in dietary and inflammatory cell n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio have been associated with improvements in asthma outcomes. [71][72][73][74][75] Interestingly, a Mediterranean diet higher in n-3 fatty acids and antioxidants appears to protect young children from recurrent wheezing. 76 Obese children on average consume more n-6 dietary PUFAs, have a reduced n-3:n-6 ratio in their diet, 77 and have reduced n-3:n-6 PUFA serum levels compared to similar leans.…”

Lyprinol™ only partially improves indicators of small intestinal integrity in a rat model of 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis

“…[12][13][14][15] Specifically, n-3 PUFA act to decrease the production of inflammatory eicosanoids, cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of inflammatory adhesion molecules. 12 An extract from the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (NZGLM; perna canaliculus) known commercially as Lyprinol™, contains high levels of the n-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6), 16 and may therefore have the potential to reduce inflammation in the setting of intestinal mucositis.…”