Human clinical study demonstrates superior Neptune Krill Oil NKO(R) pharmacokinet...( - Marine omega-3 phospholipids in...)

       - Marine omega-3 phospholipids in NKO(R) outperform established
           nutraceutical and pharmaceutical omega-3 formulations -

       - Study results used to direct Acasti Pharma's prescription drug
                                  program -

LAVAL, QC, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB) is pleased to announce positive results from a human clinical trial conducted in Germany in order to study the pharmacokinetic profile of Neptune Krill Oil NKO(R). The objective of the trial was to evaluate the bioavailability and steady state assessment of NKO(R) in a low physiological daily dose and compare it to well-established nutraceutical and pharmaceutical omega-3 formulations by measuring the levels of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plasma and erythrocytes.

The clinical study was conducted under controlled, randomized, double-blind and mono-centric conditions, and comprised of a parallel design with four groups of twelve healthy male volunteers each. One of the four groups received NKO(R) (where EPA and DHA are primarily bound to phospholipids), and the three other groups received either a formulated krill oil-like blend, or concentrated DHA/ EPA ethyl esters (where EPA and DHA are primarily ester bound) or a pharmaceutical grade fish oil (where EPA and DHA are primarily bound to triglycerides).

The trial was designed to compare the acute and long-term bioavailability of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA of each of the formulations standardized to a low physiological daily dose of 500 mg NKO(R). Concentrations of the omega- 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA were analyzed in plasma and erythrocyte membranes at defined time points of 1 day, 7 days, 28 days, 56 days and 112 days, enabling the measure of accumulation, steady state and bioavailability during the normal lifespan of th
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