Zealand Green-lipped Mussel Research Articles

Effectiveness Of Two Different Forms Of Marine Oil On Muscle Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise

PURPOSE: We have previously shown1 that four weeks of supplementation with PCSO-524®, a marine lipid fraction of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), rich in omega-3 fatty acids, attenuates muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following eccentric exercise in untrained men. The present study sought to determine if a blend of 75% PCSO-524® and 25% krill oil (ESPO-572®) will be ‘at least as good’ as PCSO-524® in attenuating DOMS and functional indices of muscle damage during recovery from muscle damaging exercise in untrained men. METHODS: This study was conducted as a randomized, parallel group, double-blind non-inferiority trial. Fifty-one untrained men were randomly assigned to consume 600 mg·d-1 (4 capsules) of either PCSO-524® (n=24) or ESPO-572® (n=27) for 26 d prior to muscle damaging exercise (downhill running), and continued for 72 h following exercise. DOMS, pressure pain threshold (PPT), limb swelling, knee extensor range of motion (ROM), and isometric torque (MVC), were assessed at baseline following supplementation before eccentric exercise, and at 24, 28 and 72 h post-eccentric exercise. For data analysis purposes we included placebo group (olive oil) (n=16) data generated from our previously published work1 that followed an identical study design. RESULTS: ESPO-572® is ‘at least as good’ as PCSO-524®, but both blends were significantly better (p<0.05) than placebo, in reducing DOMS at 24, 48, 72 h following muscle damaging exercise. At 24 and 48 h following the eccentric exercise bout ESPO-572® significantly increased (p<0.05) ROM compared to PCSO-524®. Compared to placebo, ESPO-572® significantly improved (p<0.05) ROM at 24, 48 and 72 h, while PCSO-524® significantly increased (p<0.05) ROM at 48 and 72 h during recovery. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) between ESPO-572® and PCSO-524® for PPT, limb swelling and MVC during recovery from muscle damaging exercise. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that ESPO-572® may represent a useful therapeutic agent for attenuating muscle soreness following eccentric-type exercise in untrained men. 1Mickleborough et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015) 12:10. Supported by a grant from Pharmalink International Ltd, Hong Kong.

A New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil-enriched high-fat diet exhibits beneficial effects on body weight and metabolism in mice.

To induce diet-induced obesity (DIO) in rodents, diets high in saturated fat and/or carbohydrates are commonly used. In the laboratory, standardised diets evolved over time without paying particular attention to the effect of fat composition on metabolic alterations. In the present study, customised high-fat diets (HFD) enriched with a combination of lard and different concentrations of New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) oil or MSC Hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae, blue grenadier) liver oil, important sources of n-3 PUFA, in comparison with a solely lard-based diet, were fed to lean and DIO male C57BL/6 mice and their effects on metabolic parameters were monitored. Intriguingly, an isoenergetic HFD containing 63 % of total fat in the form of mussel oil and only 28 % in the form of lard attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain after 1 and 4 weeks, respectively. Consistently, changing a lard-enriched HFD to the mussel oil diet reduced body weight markedly even after mice had been exposed to the former diet for 10 months. The weight-reducing effect of the diet was not caused by altered energy intake or expenditure, but was associated with reduced visceral fat mass. Collectively, these data suggest a novel weight-reducing potential of green-lipped mussel oil.

Biomarker responses in New Zealand green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus exposed to microplastics and triclosan

Microplastics (MPs) are of increasing concern for filter feeding marine and freshwater species. Additionally MPs can sorb hydrophobic contaminants from the water, potentially providing an additional pathway of exposure of aquatic species to contaminants. An acute 48 h laboratory study was conducted to investigate the effects of microplastics and triclosan, both individually and combined, on New Zealand's green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. Biomarkers included clearance rate, oxygen uptake, byssus production; and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity and lipid peroxidation in the gill tissue. Microplastics and triclosan, both individually and combined significantly decreased oxygen uptake and byssus production. These physiological responses were not observed when the microplastics were spiked with triclosan. Triclosan, both alone and spiked to microplastics, increased mussel oxidative stress markers including SOD activity and lipid peroxidation. An enhanced effect was observed on the SOD enzyme activity when mussels were exposed to microplastics spiked with triclosan. No effects on the biochemical biomarkers were observed for mussels exposed to microplastic only. Microplastics enhanced the uptake of triclosan in mussel tissue compared with triclosan only treatments indicating that microplastics potentially provide an additional pathway of exposure to hydrophobic contaminants.

Magnitude and timing of seed losses in mussel (Perna canaliculus) aquaculture

Losses of juvenile mussels seeded into aquaculture systems are a major constraint on the stability and growth of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) industry. Yet, the timing and magnitude of losses following seeding and during grow-out are unknown. In this study, losses of wild-sourced juvenile mussels were assessed 19, 40, and 89 days following deployment onto a mussel farm. In New Zealand, these wild juvenile mussels are attached to a variety of substrates, mostly macroalgae, hydroids or terrestrially derived material, when they are seeded into aquaculture systems. This study examined juvenile losses over time from coarse, fine and mixed macroalgae and unmanipulated substrate. Secondary settlement of mussels from their position at seeding to adjacent un-seeded sections of rope was followed to estimate migration. The number of dead mussels was quantified to assess the relative contributions of mortality and migration to mussel losses. In addition, small-scale variations in water quality that might be associated with the breakdown of the macroalgal substrates, such as dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations, were determined. Losses of mussels were initially very high (52.8–72.9% of the starting density at 19 days) and continued throughout the aquaculture nursery stage (40 days = 69.6–76.7%, 89 days = 74.4–84.9%). Overall retention was greatest for mussels deployed on coarse macroalgae (24.6%), but there were no consistent differences among substrates across deployment durations. At the end of the experiment, at least 20% of the estimated starting number of mussels had moved from their initial position at seeding. There were also high numbers (8.1% of the initial seeding density) of small dead mussels found soon after deployment. However, around 40% of the initial seeding density of juvenile mussels remained unaccounted for at the end of the experiment. These results highlight the immense scale of post-seeding losses in mussel aquaculture and the complexity of underlying processes driving these losses.

Testing the Neuroprotective Properties of PCSO-524® Using a Neuronal Cell Cycle Suppression Assay.

Cell cycle reentry is a unified mechanism shared by several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T). This phenotype is often related to neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. To mimic brain inflammation in vitro, we adopted the previously established method of using conditioned medium collected from activated THP-1 cells and applied it to both differentiated HT22 cells and primary neurons. Unscheduled cell cycle events were observed in both systems, indicating the potential of this approach as an in vitro model of neurodegenerative disease. We used this assay to measure the neuroprotective effects of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract, PCSO-524®, to protect post-mitotic cells from cell cycle reentry. We found that, both in vitro and in an animal model, PCSO-524® displayed promising neuroprotective effects, and thus has potential to postpone or prevent the onset of neurodegenerative disease.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus (Mollusca: Mytiloidea), from long nanopore sequencing reads

We describe here the first complete genome assembly of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus, mitochondrion. The assembly was performed de novo from a mix of long nanopore sequencing reads and short sequencing reads. The genome is 16,005 bp long. Comparison to other Mytiloidea mitochondrial genomes indicates important gene rearrangements in this family.

Reduced inattention and hyperactivity and improved cognition after marine oil extract (PCSO-524\xae) supplementation in children and adolescents with clinical and subclinical symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

IntroductionThis study investigated the effects of a marine oil extract (PCSO-524®) on inattention, hyperactivity, mood and cognition in children and adolescents. PCSO-524® is a standardised lipid extract of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and is an inflammatory modulator that inhibits the 5′-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways and decreases concentrations of the pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA).MethodsPCSO-524® or a matched placebo was administered for 14 weeks to 144 participants (123 males/21 females; mean age 8.7 years) with high hyperactivity and inattention in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The primary outcome was the Conners Parent Rating Scale assessing parental reports of behavioural problems. Secondary outcomes assessed changes in cognition and mood.ResultsThe results of the present study did not support the hypothesis that PCSO-524® improves parental reports of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity in children ages 6 to 14 years over placebo. Repeated measures ANOVA on post hoc subsample analysis indicated significant improvements in hyperactivity (p = 0.04), attention (p = 0.02), learning (p = 0.05) and probability of ADHD (p = 0.04) with a medium to large average effect size (d = 0.65) in those children who did not meet criteria for combined hyperactivity and inattention. Furthermore, significant improvements in the PCSO-524® group were indicated in a whole sample repeated measures ANCOVA on recognition memory between baseline and week 8 over placebo (p = 0.02, d = 0.56); this difference was not sustained at week 14.ConclusionsThe results presented indicate that PCSO-524® may be beneficial in reducing levels of hyperactivity and inattention in a population of children with clinical and subclinical symptoms of ADHD.

Marine Lipid Fraction Pcso-524™ (lyprinol®/omega-xl®) Of The New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel Does Not Improve Pulmonary And Respiratory Muscle Function In Non-asthmatic Elite Runners

Habitual endurance training may be associated with mild airway inflammation and subsequent deterioration in lung function. It has been shown that PCSO-524™ (Lyprinol®/Omega-XL®), a supplement extracted from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) comprising of up to 90 essential fatty acids, can moderate airway inflammation in humans with asthma, and in a murine-model of allergic airway disease. PURPOSE: To determine whether supplementation with PCSO-524™ (Lyprinol®/Omega-XL®) can improve pulmonary and respiratory muscle function in non-asthmatic elite runners. METHODS: 16 male, non-asthmatic elite runners participated in the study. Participants completed baseline resting pulmonary and respiratory muscle function testing, then were randomly assigned to either a treatment (PCSO-524™; 1 capsule contains 50 mg n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100 mg olive oil, n = 8) or placebo (1 capsule contains 100 mg olive oil; n = 8) group. During the supplementation period, subjects ingested 8 capsules of either treatment or placebo per day for 12 weeks. Following baseline testing, pulmonary and respiratory muscle function was assessed every two weeks throughout the 12 week supplementation period. RESULTS: Significant between-subjects main effects were not observed in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1.0), forced expiratory flow from 25-75% of lung volume (FEF25-75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax), maximal expiratory mouth pressure (PEmax), lung diffusion capacity (DLCO), and closing volume (CV) (all p > 0.05). A significant within-subjects main effect was observed in PEmax (p = 0.0242) and DLCO (p < 0.0001). No significant within-subject main effects were observed in FVC, FEV1.0, FEF25-75, PEF, MVV, PImax, and CV (all p > 0.05). A significant treatment by time interaction was observed in FEF25-75 (p = 0.0264) and DLCO (p = 0.0247), but no other significant interactions were observed (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with PCSO-524™ (Lyprinol®/Omega-XL®) does not improve pulmonary or respiratory muscle function in non-asthmatic elite runners.

Recruitment of the parasitic pea crab Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae into green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus.

Pea crab species are globally ubiquitous parasites of marine bivalves including several major aquaculture species. However, little is known about the environmental factors that affect their recruitment into aquacultured mussels. The effect of depth and distance from shore on the recruitment of the parasitic pea crab Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae into New Zealand green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus was examined with a field experiment. The incidence of pea crab infection of mussels over 295 d was nearly double when deployed at 5-10 m depth (1.97%) compared to 20-30 m depth (0.96%), although it was not significantly different due to the overall low period prevalence in the experimental population. The sex ratio of crabs recovered was significantly skewed towards females with a ratio of 1:14 (χ = 11.3, p < 0.001). Infection with pea crabs was found to significantly reduce final mussel shell height on average by 28% (21.0 mm) over 295 d (Mann-Whitney U = 6.0, p < 0.0001). This study confirms that parasitism of green-lipped mussels by pea crabs has a significant impact on the growth of the mussels and suggests that the incidence of pea crabs will be higher in shallower water and when mussels are in closer proximity to the shore. With no control methods available for preventing pea crab infection, these results suggest that moving mussel farms offshore has the potential to reduce the incidence of pea crabs in mussels and warrants larger-scale assessment.

국산 홍합과 뉴질랜드 초록입 홍합 열수 추출물의 알코올분해효소 활성에 미치는 영향 및 DPPH 라디칼 소거능과 Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 저해 활성

우리나라 남해안 연안에서 주로 양식되는 진주담치(국산 홍합)와 세계적으로 기능성이 잘 알려진 뉴질랜드 초록입 홍합의 열수 추출물을 제조하여 생리활성을 비교하였다. 모든 홍합 추출물들은 알코올대사와 관련한 alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH)와 acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH)의 활성을 상승시켰으며, 특히 ADH의 활성을 크게 향상시켰다. 국산 홍합의 육질 추출물은 초록입 홍합의 육질 추출물에 비하여 ADH 상승 효과는 비슷하였으며, ALDH 상승 효과는 약간 낮았다. DPPH 라디칼 소거능으로 조사한 항산화능은 국산 홍합의 육질 추출물이 초록입 홍합의 육질 추출물보다 높았다. 항고혈압과 관련한 ACE 저해능의 경우에는 국산 홍합 육질 추출물이 초록입 홍합의 육질 추출물에 비해 10 mg/mL 농도에서는 낮았으나 20 mg/mL 이상의 농도에서는 유의차(P<0.05)를 보이지 않았다. 이상의 결과는 국내에서 양식되고 있는 홍합도 세계적으로 초록입 홍합에 못지않은 생리활성을 가지고 있음을 시사한다.

SAT0446 A Novel Green-Lipped Mussel Lipid Extract (BIOLEX) for the Treatment of Pain in Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial

BackgroundPain is the primary symptom of concern for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Numerous studies have shown that pain control is frequently inadequate for people with symptomatic OA. Furthermore, the use...

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of a Lipid Extract from Hard-Shelled Mussel (Mytilus Coruscus) on Chronic Arthritis in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of a lipid extract from hard-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) on adjuvant-induced (AIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. AIA and CIA rats that received hard-shelled mussel lipid extract (HMLE group) at a dose of 100 mg/kg demonstrated significantly lower paw swelling and arthritic index, but higher body weight gain than those which received olive oil (control group). Similar results were found in arthritic rats that received New Zealand green-lipped mussel lipid extract (GMLE) at the same dosage. The levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in the serum, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ankle joint synovial fluids of HMLE group rats were significantly lower than those of control group. However, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in HMLE group rats were significantly higher than those in the control group. Decreased mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and MMP13, but increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) were observed in the knee joint synovium tissues of HMLE group rats when compared with the control group. No hepatotoxicity was observed in both HMLE and GMLE group rats. The present results indicated that HMLE had a similarly strong anti-inflammatory activity as GMLE. Such a strong efficacy could result from the suppression of inflammatory mediators (LTB4, PGE2, TXB2), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α) and MMPs (MMP1, MMP13), and the promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and TIMPs (TIMP1) productions.

Impacts of the invasive ascidian Didemnum vexillum on green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus aquaculture in New Zealand

Biofouling can pose a significant threat to shellfish aquaculture, as fouling organisms are often strong spatial competitors that are able to reach high densities or biomass in relatively short time frames. This study investigated the potential impacts of the colonial ascidian Didem- num vexillum on cultured New Zealand green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus at one farm in the Marlborough Sounds region. Three size classes of mussels were examined: small (20 to 40 mm shell length at deployment), medium (40 to 60 mm), and large (60 to 70 mm). Replicate 4 m mussel lines were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) ambient fouling, (2) fouling enhanced by D. vexillum fragment inoculation (in addition to ambient fouling), or (3) control lines that were kept free of D. vexillum. After 15 mo, subsections of lines (0.5 m length) were processed to determine the effects of fouling cover on mussel density within lines, as well as on individual mussel size and condition. A highly significant negative relationship was shown between D. vexillum biomass and mussel density for small mussels, and to a lesser extent for medium mussels. Values of mussel condition indices were similar across size classes and across fouling treatments within each size class. These results indicate that mussels may only be vulnerable to direct D. vexillum fouling impacts at early stages of production, and that impacts may be restricted to displacement of mussels as opposed to reduced size and condition. This information will assist in the implementation of management procedures through increased understanding of D. vexillum effects at different stages of mussel production.

Marine lipid fraction PCSO-524™ (lyprinol®/omega XL®) of the New Zealand green lipped mussel attenuates hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma

Evaluate the effect of the marine lipid fraction of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) PCSO-524 (Lyprinol/Omega XL), rich in omega-3 fatty acids, on airway inflammation and the bronchoconstrictor response to eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) in asthmatics. Twenty asthmatic subjects, with documented HIB, participated in a placebo controlled double-blind randomized crossover trial. Subjects entered the study on their usual diet and were then placed on 3 weeks of PCSO-524 or placebo supplementation, followed by a 2 week washout period, before crossing over to the alternative diet. Pre- and post-eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) pulmonary function, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), asthma symptom scores, medication use, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, cysteinyl leukotrienes (cyst-LT), 8-isoprostane and urinary 9α, 11β-prostaglandin (PG)F2 and Clara (CC16) protein concentrations were assessed at the beginning of the trial and at the end of each treatment period. The PCSO-524 diet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the maximum fall in post-EVH FEV1 (-8.4 ± 3.2%) compared to usual (-19.3 ± 5.4%) and placebo diet (-22.5 ± 13.7%). Pre- and post- EVH EBC cyst-LT and 8-isoprostane, and urinary 9α, 11β-PGF2 and CC16 concentrations were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) on the PCSO-524 diet compared to the usual and placebo diet. EBC pH and asthma symptom scores were significantly improved (p < 0.05) and rescue medication use significantly reduced (p < 0.05) on the PCSO-524 diet compared to the usual and placebo diet. PCSO-524 (Lyprinol)/Omega XL) may have beneficial effects in HIB and asthma by serving as a pro-resolving agonist and/or inflammatory antagonist.

Marine oil dietary supplementation reduces delayed onset muscle soreness after a 30 km run

ObjectiveRunners are prone to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) during long distance training. This especially holds for unaccustomed training volumes at moderate to high intensities. We investigated the effects of a marine oil complex, PCSO-524®, derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (formulated as Lyprinol® and Omega XL®) on DOMS after a 30 km training run.MethodsInitially, peak oxygen uptake of 32 distance runners (4 female, 28 male; median age 45 years, range 28–53) was measured on a treadmill with a 1.5 km hour−1 increase every 4 minutes starting from 8.5 km hour−1. At least 1-week after this initial test, they participated in a 30 km road run at a speed corresponding to about 70% of their individual peak oxygen uptake on a flat terrain. Before and after (0, 24, and 48 hours) the run, blood concentration of creatine kinase (CK) were measured and pain sensation was determined (pain scale from 0 = no pain to 10 = extremely painful). Runners were then matched in pairs based on maximal CK and peak oxygen uptake, and allocated randomly into two different groups. One group was supplemented with 400 mg per day of PCSO-524® for 11 weeks, the other group with an olive oil placebo. After that period, CK and pain sensations were remeasured following a second 30 km run at the same speed and on the same terrain.ResultsThe general pattern of soreness in the PCSO-524® supplemented group was reduced by 1.1 units (standard error 0.41) compared to the placebo (P < 0.05), the effects being greater in lesser trained runners (P < 0.05). CK levels were positively associated with pain sensation (P < 0.05), but trends toward lower CK in the PCSO-524® group, which were also more pronounced in the lesser trained runners, were not statistically significant.ConclusionPain sensations experienced by distance runners following a 30 km run were reduced by supplementation with the marine oil complex PCSO-524®, an effect which was greater in lesser trained runners.

Natural dispersal mechanisms and dispersal potential of the invasive ascidian Didemnum vexillum

Over the past decade, several species of non-indigenous ascidians have had adverse effects on a range of coastal ecosystems, and associated industries like aquaculture. One such species, the colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum, poses a threat to the highly-valued New Zealand green-lipped mussel industry, and there is interest in whether and to what extent its spread can be managed at a regional scale ( 70 % of D. vexillum larvae remained viable and were able to settle and undergo metamorphosis successfully following an artificial delay of 2 h. Larval viability decreased with increasing delay duration, although 10 % of larvae remained viable following a 36 h delay. A field-based study documented larval dispersal from two discrete source populations, with recruitment consistently detected on settlement plates at 250 m from source populations at one experimental site. Exponential decay models used to predict maximum larval dispersal distances at this site indicated that dispersal greater than 250 m is theoretically possible (>1 km in some situations). That being so, we recognise that the successful establishment and persistence of populations will depend on a wide range of processes not taken into account here. Our findings are supported by surveillance of D. vexillum spread in the wider study region; there are a number of instances where the species established on artificial structures that were several kilometres from known source populations, at a time when intensive regional-scale management of anthropogenic vectors was underway. Collectively, our findings indicate that D. vexillum has the ability to spread further by natural dispersal than previously assumed; probably hundreds of metres to kilometres depending on the local hydrological conditions, which has important implications for the ongoing management of this pest species world-wide.

Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract efficacy in knee osteoarthritis and improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction: a pilot study

Clinical data demonstrating efficacy for nutraceutical compounds marketed for the symptom relief of osteoarthritis (OA) have been largely contentious. Furthermore, no association has been linked between clinical trial inconsistencies and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. The aim of this study was to primarily investigate the efficacy of a high-dose New Zealand green-lipped mussel (GLM) extract in patients diagnosed with OA of the knee and concurrently assess GLM impact on GI function. An open label, single group allocation study was conducted, that administered 3,000 mg/day of GLM extract over 8 weeks to 21 subjects diagnosed with knee OA. Outcome measures were scored using the WOMAC, the Lequesne algofunctional index, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) tools. An intention-to-treat analysis was employed and subject data collected at T₀, T₄ and T₈ weeks. Paired t tests showed significant improvement for the Lequesne, WOMAC (p < 0.001) and GSRS (p = 0.005) scores. A repeated measures ANOVA analysis showed significant improvement in scores for the Lequesne (F = 20.317, p < 0.001), WOMAC (F = 28.383, p < 0.001) and the GSRS (F = 9.221, p = 0.002). Green-lipped mussel significantly improved knee joint pain, stiffness and mobility. We report for the first time that the administration of GLM extract also significantly improved GI symptoms by 49% in OA patients. Given that GI dysfunction is linked to analgesic medication use, we further conclude that the therapeutic efficacy of the GLM extract used was possibly correlated to its effects on GI function by improving GSRS scores from baseline. Results from this trial highlight the requisite for further clinical investigations of gastrointestinal tract function in OA patients.

Treatment Of Children’s Asthma With A Lipid Extract Of The New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (Perna Canaliculus) (Lyprinol®) - A Double Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial In Children With Moderate To Severe Chronic Obstructive Asthma.

The efficacy and safety of an oral standardised lipid extract of New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) marketed as Lyprinol ® was assessed as maintenance therapy for children with moderate asthma. A total of 71 children aged 6 to 13 years were enrolled in a 16-week, single centre, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial and randomly assigned to receive either Lyprinol or placebo (2 capsules twice daily). Patients were maintained on as-needed beta-agonist therapy and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) throughout the study. Results. Lyprinol improved the percentage of children reporting little or no trouble with their asthma at three months of treatment (97% vs. 76% p=0.057). Both groups were able to tolerate a dose reduction of ICS. There were fewer mild and moderate asthma exacerbations overall in the Lyprinol group. Lyprinol was well tolerated. It appears from this study that Lyprinol is a safe nutritional supplement for children with moderate asthma and that larger prospective controlled studies should explore its potential use as a nutraceutical in asthma as an addition to conventional treatment.

Efficacy of calcein as a chemical marker of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) larvae and its potential use for tracking larval dispersal

An optimal chemical shell marking protocol was developed for the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus with a view to its future use in larval tracking experiments. Larval P. canaliculus aged either 10, 15 or 19 days post fertilization were immersed in treatments of 50, 100 and 200 mg L−1 of calcein for a period of 24 h before measurements of shell mark brightness were taken. There was 100% marking success in all calcein treatments for all age classes, with 19-day larvae immersed in 200 mg L−1 calcein producing the brightest mark. Growth was not affected by calcein immersion; however, 10-day larvae exhibited significantly higher levels of mortality compared with 15- and 19-day larvae suggesting a reduced resilience to the marking protocols in younger larvae. In a mass staining experiment, a solution of 100 mg L−1 calcein was used to successfully stain15.6 million hatchery reared P. canaliculus larvae. Calcein, therefore, offers a low impact method with which to stain the sensitive early life stages of this species thus providing a rapid method for identifying individuals of interest, i.e. individuals released in the wild or specific family lines within a hatchery environment.

Furan fatty acid as an anti-inflammatory component from the green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus

A lipid extract of Perna canaliculus (New Zealand green-lipped mussel) has reportedly displayed anti-inflammatory effects in animal models and in human controlled studies. However, the anti-inflammatory lipid components have not been investigated in detail due to the instability of the lipid extract, which has made the identification of the distinct active components a formidable task. Considering the instability of the active component, we carefully fractionated a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus (Lyprinol) and detected furan fatty acids (F-acids). These naturally but rarely detected fatty acids show potent radical-scavenging ability and are essential constituents of plants and algae. Based on these data, it has been proposed that F-acids could be potential antioxidants, which may contribute to the protective properties of fish and fish oil diets against chronic inflammatory diseases. However, to date, in vivo data to support the hypothesis have not been obtained, presumably due to the limited availability of F-acids. To confirm the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of F-acids in comparison with that of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), we developed a semisynthetic preparation and examined its anti-inflammatory activity in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis. Indeed, the F-acid ethyl ester exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than that of the EPA ethyl ester. We report on the in vivo activity of F-acids, confirming that the lipid extract of the green-lipped mussel includes an unstable fatty acid that is more effective than EPA.