Krill Oil for HIV-Related Inflammation: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–related inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular events in adults infected with the virus. Krill oil contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and has potential advantages as an anti-inflammatory agent, compared to fish oil. The aim of this research was to explore the safety and effect size (ES) of krill oil for reducing soluble inflammatory mediators in persons with HIV infection.

Materials and Methods:

This randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted at an infectious disease outpatient clinic located in a medically underserved neighborhood in Chicago. The participants were 10 stable HIV-infected adults with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations in their sera (> 3 mg/dL). These participants received either 1 g/day of krill oil or placebo for 8 or 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were efficacy measures, including plasma concentrations of hsCRP, d-dimer, and interleukin-6; and safety measures, including CD4+ T lymphocytes, viral load, serum creatinine, and liver function tests. Secondary outcomes included the standard lipid panel (triglycerides, and total, high-density liproprotein [HDL], and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol).

Results:

Krill-oil supplementation was not associated with significant reductions of soluble inflammatory mediators nor with improvement of lipid parameters. Moderate-to-large effect sizes were found for increasing HDL cholesterol (ES = 0.83) and d-dimer (ES = 0.40), while moderate effect sizes were found for decreasing triglycerides (ES = −0.34) and VLDL cholesterol (ES = –0.46), and raising LDL cholesterol (ES = 0.75). The supplement was well-tolerated and was not associated with any changes in parameters of HIV disease progression.

Conclusions:

Krill oil did not reduce soluble inflammatory mediators, but did show effect sizes for modulating lipid profiles favorably.