Potentially Beneficial Effects on Healthy Aging by Supplementation of the EPA-Rich Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum or Its Supernatant—A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial in Elderly Individuals

Dietary supplements that promote healthy aging are mostly warranted in an aging society. Because of age-related risks, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agents such as microalgae are potential candidates for intervention. In a randomized controlled trial, we tested Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), a microalgae rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), carotenoids, vitamins, and β-glucans, cultured in bioreactors. In this pilot trial, 19 healthy elderly received supplements for two weeks based on either the whole PT (A), the β-1,3-glucan-rich PT supernatant (SupB), the combination thereof (A+SupB), or a Comparator product (Comp). The primary outcome variable plasma interleukin-6 was reduced after treatment with A+SupB compared to the Comp group (p = 0.04). The mobility parameters 5 s sit-to-stand test (p = 0.04 in the A group) and by trend gait speed (p = 0.08 in the A+SupB diet) were improved compared to Comp. No treatment effects were observed for fatty acids, compared to Comp but omega-6 to -3 fatty acid ratio (p = 0.006) and arachidonic acid/EPA ratio (p = 0.006) were reduced within group A+SupB. Further, the SupB study product reduced faecal zonulin (p = 0.03) compared to the Comp. The data revealed an anti-inflammatory and potentially anti-oxidative effect of particular PT preparations, suggesting that they might be suitable for effects in healthy elderly.     

The clinical administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone in dogs

The short introduction gives a review on the complex of exogen and endogen opioids and their receptors as well as on their pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of naloxone. The clinical efficacy of naloxone as an opioid antagonist is described. Applications of naloxone for the dog are specified: antagonisation of etorphine, morphine, levomethadone and fentanyl, antagonisation of exogen and endogen opioids in puppies and treatment of lactomania in the bitch. The mean effective dose to antagonize morphines is 0.003 mg/kg bodyweight. If persisting analgesia is indicated the dose of naloxone in titrating steps in 0.001 mg/kg bw. To antagonize postpartal hypoxia in puppies 0.02 mg per animal naloxone have to be injected. For treatment of lactomania a dose of 0.01 mg/kg bodyweight twice a day for a couple of days is recommended. The clinical effectivity of naloxone is proved doubtlessly. Compatibility and safety are very high.     

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