Effect Of Cod Liver Oil Research Articles

Prophylactic Effect of Cod Liver Oil on Stone Formation in Rat Kidney: A Novel Approach

Prophylactic Effect of Cod Liver Oil on Stone Formation in Rat Kidney: A Novel Approach

Comparison the Anti-atherogenic and hypolipidaemic effect of Cod liver oil, pomegranate seed oil and Rosuvastatin in hyperecholestrolemic rats

Rosuvastatin known is the more "statin moderating the lipid profile by reduction the low density-lipoprotein than the other statin such as atorvastatin, simvastatin and parvostatin". The present study was designed to investigate the anti-atherogenic and the hypolipidemic effect of cod liver oil, pomegranate seed oil and rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic rats. Thirty five albino wister rats were divided randomly into five equal groups, the first group served as negative control, all rats were administrated normal saline. The second group as positive control were rats administrated high cholesterol diet for six weeks. The animals in the third, fourth and fifth groups were administrated for 6 weeks as fallow: cod liver oil ( 0.5 mg/kg rat per day), pomegranate seed oil (200 mg/kg/day) and rosuvastatin (0.5 mg/kg/day, orally), respectively; In addition high cholesterol diet. The result revealed the high cholesterol diet in the positive control group caused a significant (p≤0.05) alteration in the lipid profile by increasing the serum total cholesterol (TC), Low density lipoprotein(LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-c) and triglyceride (TGs) as well as significant (p≤0.05) decrease the High-density lipoprotein. Also, the result showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase atherogenic indices by increase the coronary risk index (TC/HDL-C), atherogenic Coefficient (TC-HDL-C/HDL-C) and Atherogenic index of serum Log(TG/HDL-C) compare with negative control group. Indicated results significant (p>0.05) decrease in the level of serum glutathione (GSH) and significant (p≤0.05) increase in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). While the animals in the group 3,4 and 5 were administrated CLO, PSO and statin the result clarified a significant (p≤0.05) improvement in studied parameters , through decrease the TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TG, MDA and atherogenic indices" , and increase the HDL-C and GSH compared with negative and positive control groups.

Protective effect of Cod Liver Oil in Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulceration in Rats

Background: Gastric ulcer is a life style disease, observed when gastric mucosa is exposed to the acid-pepsin mixture (APM) for prolonged period of time. The reason to undertake the present study is based on the scientific evidence that the cod liver oil found to possess a significant antioxidant and protective action against inflammation. However, there was no scientific proof established regarding the antiulcer activity of cod liver oil. As inflammation is one the causes of gastric ulcer, the present work was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcer efficiency of cod liver oil in three different ulcerated rat models. Methods: Ulcer was induced through pyloric ligation, ethanol, and aspirin. The effect of Cod liver oil was evaluated by estimating the pH of the gastric juice, volume of gastric juice, ulcer scores, free acidity, total acidity as well as mucin content in the ulcerated rat models. The degree of ulcer protective consequence was explored by comparing the data with standard drugs i.e. omeprazole and sucralfate. Results: Cod liver oil exhibited a significant mucosal protection and anti-secretory action in all three models. Cod liver oil showed percentage ulcer protection of >50% in pyloric ligation, ethanol-induced and aspirin-induced ulcer model when compared to standard drug omeprazole and sucralfate. Conclusion: The findings from the present study indicated that the use of cod liver oil in gastric ulcer may be beneficial as it showed significant mucoprotective and anti-secretory activity in ulcerated rat models.

A study on neuroprotective effect of cod liver oil in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion induced global cerebral ischemia in rats

A study on neuroprotective effect of cod liver oil in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion induced global cerebral ischemia in rats

Impact of cod liver oil supplementation on the histological changes of the tongue dorsal surface in insulin treated streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic metabolic disease that affecting all age. However, it has many complications such as stomatitis, delayed wound healing, mucosal neuro-sensory disorders. Cod liver oil (CLO) is an important source of ω-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory effect. Objective: The present study designed to investigate the protective effect of cod liver oil (CLO) supplementation in ameliorating the histological changes of the tongue dorsal surface in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Design: Forty adult male Swiss albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10). Group (I) rats were received single intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg citrate buffer. Group (II) rats were received single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg STZ freshly dissolved in 1 ml/kg citrate buffer, blood samples were obtained and fasting glycaemia was measured to confirm the development of diabetes. Group (III) after confirmation of diabetes rats were received subcutaneous injection of human insulin with a dose (5 IU/kg/d). Group (IV) rats were treated as in group (III) and received pure cod liver oil with a dose (60mg/Kg /d) by intra-gastric intubation. After four weeks, animals were scarified and tongues were dissected and the prepared sections were examined histologically by H&E, histochemically by Masson Trichrome stain (MTC) and morphomtrical analysis. Data obtained from morphomtrical analysis were statistically described in terms of mean ± standard deviation (± SD). Results: Histological examination of Group I revealed the normal features of the dorsal surface of tongue and shape of filiform papillae. In Group II has evident hyperkeratosis and loss of conical shape of filiform papillae. Group (III) has better epithelium and keratin layer and shape of filiform papillae. Group IV has histological features resembling nearly those of group I. The morphometric analysis confirmed the previous results as group I showed the highest mean epithelium thickness, followed by Group IV, then Group III and the least value was for Group II. Conclusions: diabetes has a deleterious effect on dorsal surface of the tongue. Insulin can’t completely inhibit the complications of diabetes. However, ω-3 fatty acids present in CLO has protective effect on these abnormalities caused by diabetes.

Effect of Cod Liver Oil in the Commercial Feed Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) on Meat Fresh Water Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

Fresh water prawns are commodities freshwater fish that have economic value, particularly in Indonesia. As the development of tourism and a variety of culinary consumption in Indonesia fresh water prawns and open export opportunities. Fresh water prawns, high cholesterol is 385,03 mg/dl. Excessive cholesterol in the body will lead to a condition called atherosclerosis condition is the forerunner of heart disease and stroke. One of the efforts that must be undertaken to produce low cholesterol aquaculture products are engineered feed, supplementation with fatty acids derived from marine organisms. Through the fatty acid supplementation, it is expected that the levels of triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) will decline so it can raise levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Analysis of data using statistical test of Variant Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the effect of treatment. If there are differences among the treatments continued with Duncan Multiple Range Test to determine the best treatment. Analysis of Variant (ANOVA) result a significant difference (p<0,05). The main parameters of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) meat prawns tested at the Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya. Parameter supporters observed that the maintenance of water quality fresh water prawns. Provision of cod liver oil at a dose of 12% can lower total cholesterol with the lowest levels of the other treatments, with an average of 88.3125 mg/dl. Provision of cod liver oil at a dose of 12% can reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were lowest from other treatments with an average of 197.72 mg/dl. Provision of cod liver oil at a dose of 12% can increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were highest from other treatments with an average of 128.84 mg/dl. Keywords : Cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL)

Modulatory effects of cod liver oil on the antioxidant status and oxidative stress induced by acute exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in experimental animal models.

This work was designed to investigate the modulatory effects of cod liver oil on the acute exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in experimental animal models. Markers of oxidative stress, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were assessed in the liver and kidney. The results showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the total protein of the kidney of rats pretreated with cod liver oil compared to the control and CCL4-treated groups. Acute exposure to CCL4 also significantly (p<0.05) increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the liver of rats treated with cod liver oil compared to the CCL4-treated rats. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver of the rats administered with CCL4 decreased significantly compared to that in all other treatment groups, whereas rats pretreated and co-administered with cod liver oil and CCl4 showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in the liver GSH content. The catalase (CAT) activity in the liver of rats exposed to CCL4 decreased (p<0.05) significantly, whereas the activity increased (p<0.05) significantly in the rats that were treated with cod liver oil compared to the CCl4 only-treated group. The percentage inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased (p<0.05) significantly in the liver of rats administered cod liver oil compared to the CCL4-treated rats and the control. Taken together, cod liver oil attenuates CCL4-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver but not in the kidney of rats acutely exposed to CCL4.

Hepatoprotective effects of cod liver oil against sodium nitrite toxicity in rats

Context: Exposure to high levels of nitrites for a prolonged time have adverse health effects on several organs especially the liver due to oxidative properties. Meanwhile, cod liver oil has been reported to ameliorate organ dysfunction in animal models that involve oxidative stress.Objective: Examine the impact of dietary cod liver oil on sodium nitrite-induced liver damage.Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawely rats were daily treated with sodium nitrite (80 mg/kg) in presence or absence of cod liver oil (5 ml/kg). Morphological changes were assessed in liver sections. Oxidative stress and antioxidant markers were measured in serum and liver homogenates. Liver samples were used for measurements of MCP-1, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial function.Results: The hepatoprotective effect of cod liver oil was proved by significant reduction of elevated liver enzymes and normal appearance of hepatocytes. Cod liver oil significantly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion (224.3 ± 18.9 nmol/g, 59.3 ± 5.1 and 62.5 ± 5.1 µmol/g, respectively) compared with sodium nitrite (332.5 ± 25.5 nmol/g, 83.1 ± 8.1 and 93.9 ± 6.5 µmol/g, respectively). Cod liver oil restored hepatic cytochrome c oxidase activity after 38% reduction by sodium nitrite. Furthermore, cod liver oil significantly reduced hepatic MCP-1 (79.8 pg/mg) and DNA fragmentation (13.8%) compared with sodium nitrite (168.7 pg/mg and 41.3%, respectively).Discussion and conclusion: Cod liver oil ameliorates sodium nitrite induced hepatic impairment through several mechanisms including attenuation of oxidative stress, blocking MCP-1, reactivation of mitochondrial function and reduction of DNA fragmentation.

Modulatory effect of cod liver oil on bone mineralization in overiectomized female Sprague Dawley rats

Osteoporosis represents a major public health problem through its association with fragility fractures, primarily of the hip, spine and distal forearm. The risk of osteoporosis increased in postmenopausal women due to decline in estrogen levels. Replicable hormone therapy is associated with undesirable side effects. Cod liver oil (CLO) is a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid eicosapentaenoic acid linolenic acid and vitamins A, E and D. In this study, the effect of CLO will be tested in the prevention of bone loss in the ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. One group of OVX rats (n = 12) received an estrogen implantation at the time of operation and the second group was supplemented orally with CLO (200 μl/kg body weight) daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood was analysed for serum calcium, phosphorous, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and estrogen and femur for calcium determination. Estrogen implantation as well as CLO supplementation in OVX rats increased the calcium level in femur as compared with sham rats (p < 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of CLO have a positive effect on bone mineralization in rat, and this could offer a new strategy to avoid the side effects of replaceable hormonal therapy.

Modulatory effect of cod-liver oil on Na+-K+ ATPase in rats’ brain

Omega-3 fatty acids were used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases such as bipolar disorder. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase is also a well-known target for these fatty acids. In this study, we investigated the impact of cod-liver oil (CLO), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, cholinesterase activities, the levels of norepinephrine (NE) and acetylcholine in different regions of rat brain. Our results showed that DHA caused a significant depression in cerebellum Na(+), K( +)-ATPase, whereas CLO activated it. In addition, CLO, EPA and DHA produced a significant activation in Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in medulla, midbrain and hypothalamus. There were non-significant changes in the activity of cholinesterase enzyme in cerebellum and medulla, while in midbrain and hypothalamus the CLO, DHA and EPA enhanced the activity by 75%, 100% and 78%, respectively. The content of NE in hypothalamus showed slight increase in different regions of the brain of animals fed CLO, DHA or EPA. In conclusion, CLO, DHA or EPA supplementation had a beneficial effect that associated with a normalization of fatty acids incorporation into phospholipid membranes and a partial restoration of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity, suggesting that CLO supplementation may improve fatty acid composition and moderately enhance Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity.

Antiulcer activity of cod liver oil in rats.

Objective:Cod liver oil is used widely as a dietary supplement. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of cod liver oil (0.5 g/kg, p.o. and 1 g/kg, p.o.) on gastric and duodenal ulcers.Materials and Methods:The study was carried out on different gastric ulcer models such as acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcers, pylorus ligation, indomethacin induced ulcers, stress induced ulcers and ethanol induced ulcers. The duodenal ulcers were induced using cysteamine hydrochloride (HCl). Ranitidine (50 mg/kg p.o.) and misoprostol (100 µg/kg, p.o.) were used as standard drugs.Results:Both doses of cod liver oil showed gastric ulcer healing effect in acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcers, produced gastric antisecretory effect in pylorus-ligated rats and also showed gastric cytoprotective effect in ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced ulcer. Cod liver oil also produced a significant reduction in the development of stress induced gastric ulcers and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer. The high dose of cod liver oil (1 g/kg, p.o.) was more effective compared to the low dose (0.5 g/kg, p.o.).Conclusion:Cod liver oil increases healing of gastric ulcers and prevents the development of experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.

Cod liver oil supplementation improves cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Abnormalities in the metabolism of essential fatty acids and the results of increased oxidative stress have been implicated in cardiovascular disorders observed in diabetes mellitus. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of cod liver oil (CLO, Lysi Ltd, Iceland), which comprises mainly an antioxidant vitamin A, n:3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n:3 PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on cardiovascular abnormalities in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Two days after single STZ (55 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or vehicle injection, diabetes was verified by increased blood glucose, and non-diabetic and diabetic rats were left untreated or treated with CLO (0.5 mL kg(-1) daily, by intragastric probing) for 12 weeks. Plasma glucose, triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations were significantly elevated in 12-week untreated-diabetic rats; CLO provided better weight gain, entirely prevented the plasma lipid abnormalities, but partially controlled the glycaemia in diabetic rats. In isolated aorta rings, diabetes resulted in increased phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction and isoprenaline-induced vasorelaxation, impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and unchanged responsiveness to sodium nitroprusside. CLO treatment completely prevented endothelial deficiency, partly corrected the phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction and did not affect the responses to isoprenaline and sodium nitroprusside in diabetic aorta. Diabetes also produced a marked decrease in the rate of spontaneously beating right atria and a significant increase in basal contractile force of left ventricular papillary muscle. The responsiveness of right atria to the positive chronotropic effect of isoprenaline was significantly decreased in diabetic rats, and was increased in CLO-treated diabetic rats. The positive chronotropic effect of noradrenaline was markedly increased in diabetic atria, but prevented by CLO treatment. Diabetes also resulted in an increased positive inotropic response of papillary muscle to both noradrenaline and isoprenaline, which were prevented by CLO treatment. CLO treatment also resulted in lower tissue sensitivity (pD(2)) to these agonists in diabetic papillary muscle. Ventricular hydroxyproline content was found to be unchanged among the experimental groups. The ultrastructure of diabetic myocardium displayed various degenerations (i.e. intracellular oedema, myofibrillar fragmentation, condensed pleomorphic mitochondria, thick capillary irregular basement membrane, swollen endothelial cells), which were partially prevented by CLO treatment. We conclude that the supplementation with CLO is effective in preventing cardiovascular disorders observed in experimental diabetes.

The suggestive potentiating effect of cod liver oil on the efficacy of artesunate in &lt;i&gt;Plasmodium berghei&lt;/i&gt; infected mice

The effects of cod liver oil on the potency of artesunate was determined using Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Fifty (50) adult albino mice weighing between 15-25g were used for this experiment. There were five groups of ten animals each per group. Groups I to IV were infected with plasmodium berghei and also received 0.9% normal saline (Group I), Artesunate (Group II), Cod liver oil (Group III) and Cod liver oil plus Artesunate (Group IV). Group V was not infected and was not treated. The parasitaemia level was monitored for eight days post inoculation of the parasites into the animals. The group IV animals that received the combination of both Artestunate and Cod liver oil demonstrated a better clearance of malaria parasite than Artesunate montherapy (Group II) with 48.7%, 90.3%, 98.9% and 99.2% suppression of parasiteamia from days 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 respectively. These findings showed that the combination of Artesunate and Cod liver oil is more effective against plasmodium berghei infection than artesunate alone. This combination may thus be considered as a suitable and cost effective Artemisinin Combination Therapy. Keywords: Plasmodium berghei, Parasitaemia, Artesunate, Cod liver oil Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: 74-78

Effects of Cod Liver Oil and Chromium Picolinate Supplements on the Serum Traits, Egg Yolk Fatty Acids and Cholesterol Content in Laying Hens

This study investigated the effects of cod liver oil and chromium picolinate on the serum traits and egg yolk fatty acids and cholesterol content in laying hens. One hundred 45-week old single comb white Leghorn laying hens were assigned randomly to four groups. These groups were: (1) control (soybean oil), (2) 1,000 ppb (µg/kg) chromium (organic form chromium picolinate) (Crpic), (3) 3% cod liver oil (CLO), and (4) 1,000 ppb chromium with 3% cod liver oil (CLO+Crpic). The experiment was conducted for 40 days. Results indicated that serum triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol contents in the CLO group and the serum glucose content in the Crpic group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05-0.01). The yolk cholesterol content in the CLO and Crpic groups were also lower than the control group (p<0.01). The lipoprotein profile displayed that in the Crpic group, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group. Meanwhile, low-density lipoprotein+very low-density lipoprotein (LDL+VLDL) and LDL-C+VLDL-C were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control group. Notably, of all four groups, the CLO group displayed a more profound effect on serum traits and lipoprotein (p<0.05-0.001). Furthermore, the fatty acid composition of the egg yolks presented that C18:2 in the CLO and Crpic groups was significantly lower (p<0.05-0.001) compare to the control. However, only in the CLO group, C18:3, C20:5 and C22:6 were significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control. Only serum glucose and LDL+VLDL showed the CLO×Crpic interaction (p<0.05), most parameters did not. Therefore, supplemented chromium picolinate or cod liver oil in the diet of laying hens had beneficial effects. However, when these two factors were combined, there was no interaction with most parameters. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 8 : 1177-1181)

Effects of cod liver oil on tissue antioxidant pathways in normal and streptozotocin‐diabetic rats

Lipid disorders and increased oxidative stress may exacerbate some complications of diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have implicated the beneficial effects of some antioxidants, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the protection of cells from the destructive effect of increased lipids and lipid peroxidation products. This study, therefore, was designed to investigate the effects of cod liver oil (CLO, Lysi Ltd. Island), which comprises mainly vitamin A, PUFAs, EPA and DHA. Effects were monitored on plasma lipids, lipid peroxidation products (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase in heart, liver, kidney and lung of non-diabetic control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced-diabetic rats. Two days after STZ-injection (55 mg kg(-1) i.p.), non-diabetic control and diabetic rats were divided randomly into two groups as untreated or treated with CLO (0.5 ml kg(-1) rat per day) for 12 weeks. Plasma glucose, triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations were significantly elevated in 12-week untreated-diabetic animals; CLO treatment almost completely prevented these abnormalities in triacylglycerol and cholesterol, but hyperglycaemia was partially controlled. CLO also provided better weight gain in diabetic animals. In untreated diabetic rats, MDA markedly increased in aorta, heart and liver but was not significantly changed in kidney and lung. This was accompanied by a significant increase in both GSHPx and catalase enzyme activities in aorta, heart, and liver of diabetic rats. In kidney and lung, diabetes resulted in reduced catalase while GSHPx was significantly activated. In aorta, heart, and liver, diabetes-induced changes in MDA were entirely prevented by CLO treatment. In the tissues of CLO-treated diabetic animals, GSHPx activity paralleled those of control animals. CLO treatment also caused significant improvements in catalase activities in every tissue of diabetic rats, but failed to affect MDA and antioxidant activity in control animals. The current study suggests that the treatment of diabetic rats with CLO provides better control of glucose and lipid metabolism, allows recovery of normal growth rate, prevents oxidative/peroxidative stress and ameliorates endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities in various tissues. Because CLO contains a plethora of beneficial compounds together, its use for the management of diabetes-induced complications may provide important advantages.

Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

In this pilot study, 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis ingested 1 g of cod liver oil (one capsule) daily for 3 months. Decreases occurred in morning stiffness (52.4%; P<10(-3)), painful (42.7%) and swollen (40%) joints (P= 10(-3) each), and pain intensity (67.5%). Ratings of "good" or "very good" were awarded by 68% of the patients for efficacy and by 95% for tolerability. Eleven patients reported nonsevere adverse effects that in 3 cases may have been related to the study preparation. Cod liver oil can be recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dietary fat intake and risk of lung cancer: a prospective study of 51,452 Norwegian men and women

The relationship between incidence of lung cancer and intake of dietary fats, high-fat foods, fish, and fish products was studied in 25,956 men and 25,496 women aged 16-56 years attending Norwegian health screening between 1977 and 1983. Linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Central Bureau of Statistics of Norway ensured a complete follow-up until 31 December 1991. Diet was recorded on a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire, and 153 cases of lung cancer were identified during follow-up. Mean age at diagnosis was 56 years. After adjusting for smoking status, gender, age at screening, and attained age, significant lower risks were found for cod liver oil supplement (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-1.0) and for skim milk compared to whole milk (IRR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9)). No association was found with dietary cholesterol and saturated fat. A threshold of increased risk starting at the second quartile was seen for mono- and polyunsaturated fat. The potential protective effect of cod liver oil, a supplement rich in preformed vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and monounsaturated fat, has to our knowledge, not been reported before. Confounding from lifestyle is possible, but the result deserves further investigation.

Platelet-derived thromboxane A2 decreases microvascular perfusion after arterial repair.

Previous work suggests that cod liver oil helps to protect the microcirculation from the consequence of thromboembolic events. The possibility that altered synthesis of thromboxane A2 accounts for the protective effects seen with cod liver oil was investigated in the present study. This was done using the combined thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor and thromboxane A2-prostaglandin H2 receptor blocker R68070 (Ridogrel). A standardized microvascular injury was inflicted on the right iliac artery of the rat to generate emboli. The downstream cremaster muscle was used to visualize the passage of the ensuing emboli and to assess the effects of this arterial injury on capillary perfusion and arteriole diameters. The number of visible emboli was not changed by either cod liver oil diet or Ridogrel administration. However, capillary perfusion was preserved by using cod liver oil (n = 7) and was significantly increased by using Ridogrel (n = 7) in comparison with untreated controls (n = 7) in which capillary perfusion was decreased because of the emboli. The administration of Ridogrel to cod liver oil-treated animals (n = 7) provided no additive benefit. The percentage change in A-2 vessel diameters in cod liver oil-treated (n = 7) animals was no different from the control group (n = 7). Ridogrel (n = 7), on the other hand, produced a significant increase in A-3 vessel (n = 21) diameters, but its effects were comparatively less in the cod liver oil-treated animals (n = 7). The formation of platelet aggregates (emboli) appears relatively independent of thromboxane A2 in the rat. Ridogrel is very effective in protecting the microcirculation, and these effects appear to be mediated by A-3 vasodilatation, which, therefore, is at least partially thromboxane A2-dependent. The positive effects of cod liver oil may be mediated by a mechanism that reduces thromboxane A2 synthesis, but further studies are necessary.

A comparative study between cod liver oil and liquid lard intake on intraocular pressure on rabbits

Cod liver oil administered intramuscularly (0.2 ml/day) lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) of the rabbit from 21 mmHg to 18 ± 0.4 mmHg (p < 0.05 n = 8). A higher dose of cod liver oil (1 ml) further lowered intraocular pressure to 14.5 ± 0.3 mmHg which remained at this level for up to 80 days when the rabbits were sacrificed. Intramuscular injections of liquid lard did not alter IOP in rabbits. When treatment with cod liver oil was stopped, IOP rose to baseline levels. Topical treatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitors had no effect on the IOP lowering effect of cod liver oil. Topical treatment of rabbit eyes with 1% aspirin solution twice daily (up to 28 days) and flurbiprofen t.i.d. (up to 15 days) caused no alteration in the decrease in IOP seen with intramuscular cod liver oil treatment for up to 28 and 15 days respectively.

The effects of the intake of cod liver oil on the blood lipid level, the lipoprotein profile and bleeding time

In a research study performed over eight months with five female and six male subjects (age 35-67 years) the effect of cod liver oil on the lipoprotein composition in the blood was tested. The main goal was to prove that the regular administration of so-called highly unsaturated omega-3-fatty acid components in fish oil (4 g per day over six months) may lead to a reduction of triglyceride and total cholesterol values. Furthermore, any changes in HDL and LDL cholesterol fractions as well as the bleeding time were registered. The average values of all subjects showed an essential reduction of the triglyceride and cholesterol values. The control examination after 8 months even showed a continuous trend. The LDL fractions on an average remained unchanged. It can be taken for granted that the administration of unsaturated fatty acids in cod liver oil shows a successful therapeutic effect by the reduction of triglyceride and cholesterol values. The anti-atherosclerotic and the anti-platelet aggregational effect of fish oil has been described in many publications.