. Aker BioMarine AS announces today the publication of a new study investigating the effect of krill oil on the lipid metabolism in rats. According to Kjetil Berge, PhD, R&D Director at Aker BioMarine, “These studies confirm the beneficial effects of krill oil on liver lipid levels that we have previously seen in two different animal models of obesity. Moreover, the study elucidated the mechanism behind the beneficial effects of omega-3 supplementation, by demonstrating regulation of lipid synthesizing enzymes. This study gives us a foundation to study cellular mitochondrial processes in more detail in future studies.”

The animals were treated for 6 weeks with diets containing 2.5% krill oil or 2.5% fish oil, or a control diet without supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. The activity of three key enzymes in the liver involved in the metabolism of fat was investigated together with blood and liver levels. The study revealed beneficial effects of both omega-3 supplements. The inhibition of the three enzymes was significant with krill oil and fish oil, but the response to krill oil treatment was more pronounced , especially at shorter feeding periods (2-3 weeks). The study also revealed fat-lowering effects from the omega-3 supplements and confirmed previous findings that krill oil is effective in reducing liver triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Krill oil reduced liver triglycerides by 20%, compared to 10% in the fish oil group, whereas the cholesterol levels decreased by 33% (krill oil) and 21 % (fish oil).

The study was performed by a research group at University of Salento, Lecce, Italy and was recently published in Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. Aker BioMarine appreciates that independent academic researchers are doing basic research with krill oil, which contains a high level of omega-3 phospholipids. Omega-3 phospholipids are considered to be an effective system for delivering the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA to tissues.

Aker BioMarine is the only krill ingredient marketer that is primary in its supply, providing traceability from its vessel harvesting krill in the pristine Antarctic Ocean through the proprietary manufacture of krill ingredients. The proprietary Eco-Harvesting™ technology with processing on the vessel and novel extraction process results in the unique composition of Superba™ Krill Oil. SuperbaTM Krill Oil thus provides the highest harvesting and manufacturing controls from the sea to shelf. Aker BioMarine is the only krill harvester that has been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification.

Ferramosca, et. al., 2011 “A krill oil supplemented diet reduces the activities of the mitochondrial tricarboxylate carrier and of the cytosolic lipogenic enzymes in rats”.
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2011, is available online at:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01135.x/abstract

About SuperbaTM Krill Oil
SuperbaTM Krill Oil is a pure, natural source of the health-promoting EPA & DHA omega-3 essential fatty acids and the naturally occurring antioxidant astaxanthin. The uniqueness of SuperbaTM Krill Oil is that the omega-3 fatty acids are provided in phospholipid form. In vitro, in vivo and human clinical research has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of SuperbaTM Krill Oil.

About Aker BioMarine
Aker BioMarine is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the sustainable harvesting of krill and development of krill-derived biotech products. The company supplies biomarine ingredients through an optimized value chain from raw materials to customers. Aker BioMarine‘s SuperbaTM Krill products are provided with 100-percent traceability from the Antarctic sea to the end user. Only Aker’s krill fishery has been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification.

For more information, please contact:
Nils Hoem, Chief Scientist, Research and Development, Aker BioMarine, +47 24 13 00 00.

North America:
Eric Anderson, 206-855-6736 x 217
eric.anderson@akerbiomarine.com

Europe:
Roar Hernes, +47 (241) 30123
roar.hernes@akerbiomarine.com

Asia:
Chris McReynolds, +1 206-660-6756
chris.mcreynolds@akerbiomarine.com