Diabetes can lead to impaired cognitive functions. With the help of krill oil, such diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunctions can be significantly reduced. Krill oil also promotes healthy brain aging.
A new study by experts at Shandong University in China examined the preventative effects of krill oil on diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction in mice with type 2 diabetes. The results were published in the English-language journal “Journal of Functional Foods”.
When diabetes harms cognitive functions
Impairments in cognitive functions associated with diabetes mellitus are referred to as diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunctions. Due to their high prevalence and serious impact on quality of life, they have gained increasing attention in recent years, the team reports.
However, so far there are only a few interventions that are effective in reducing diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction. In the new study, the team examined the preventive effect of krill oil on diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction in mice.
With streptozotocin and a high-fat diet, the animals developed type 2 diabetes and subsequently showed cognitive impairment, neuron loss, oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus.
However, these effects could be prevented by administering krill oil, the researchers report.
Krill oil did not provide direct protection against the neuronal activation of the so-called apoptotic signaling pathway and the loss of nerve cells, which is induced by advanced glycation end products.
However, krill oil was able to inactivate lipopolysaccharide-induced M1-polarized microglia, the effect of which was to attenuate apoptosis of neurons cultured with krill oil, the team explains. Krill oil particularly inhibits inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in M1-polarized microglia.
Overall, the results of the study suggest that krill oil improves diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction by inactivating microglia, making it a potentially effective treatment approach, according to the research team.
Protects the brain from age-related diseases
But taking krill oil doesn’t just seem to be beneficial for people with diabetes. In another study, the results of which can be read in the English-language journal “Aging”, it was found that krill oil protects the brain from age-related diseases.
Krill oil is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, choline and astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant. Using nematodes and human cells, the researchers were able to demonstrate that krill oil has a positive effect on various gene expressions. This reduces various signs of aging.
Reduces oxidative stress
The researchers explain that krill oil reduced oxidative stress and the so-called proteotoxic stress caused by misfolded proteins. Krill oil also has a positive effect on senescence, genomic instability and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Inhibits inflammation in brain cells
Krill oil is also able to reduce inflammation of brain cells and also plays an important role in the production of dopamine, a chemical messenger that is involved in many important biological processes, including movement, motivation and cognition.
Taken together, the results of the two studies make it clear that krill oil can protect against cognitive impairment in diabetes and enable healthy brain aging by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. (as)
