New Zealand green lipped mussel

[Guest guest]

Has anyone tried or heard of green-lipped mussels?It seems that green-lipped

mussels contain a unique combination of fatty acids that are not found in any

other marine or plant life. One of these fatty acids is eicosatetraenoic acid

and it appears to act as dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid oxygenation by both

the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase pathway. To my understanding the

present theory regarding Samter's is the disorder is: caused by an anomaly in

the arachidonic acid cascade, which causes undue production of leukotrienes, a

series of chemicals involved in the body's inflammatory response. When

prostaglandin production is blocked by NSAIDS like aspirin, the cascade shunts

entirely to leukotrienes, causing overproduction of LT-4 and producing the

severe allergy-like effects.(wikipedia) Studies have been done with asthma (non

Samter I'm assuming). Maybe I am oversimplifying the problem but it seems as if

this could help in theory. Any thoughts?

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Link to company that produces New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel (worldwide):

www.lyprinol.com

Abstract

Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a

randomised clinical trial

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways mediated, at least in

part, by leukotrienes and other lipid mediators. Experimental studies have shown

that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus, is

effective in inhibiting 5?-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways responsible

for production of eicosanoids, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. The

aim of this study was to assess its effect on symptoms, peak expiratory flow

(PEF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in expired breath condensate as a marker of

airway inflammation in patients with steroid-naïve atopic asthma in a

double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Forty six patients with atopic asthma received two capsules of lipid extract

(Lyprinol®) or placebo b.i.d. for 8?weeks. Each capsule of lipid extract

contained 50?mg ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100?mg olive oil, whereas

placebo capsules contained only 150?mg olive oil.

There was a significant decrease in daytime wheeze, the concentration of exhaled

H2O2 and an increase in morning PEF in the lipid extract group compared to the

placebo group. There were no significant side-effects.

The authors conclude that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel may

have some beneficial effect in patients with atopic asthma.

Full text at:

http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/20/3/596.full