Bomi Framroze

Background: Healthy ageing depends on the maintenance of several interconnected biological processes including adequate oxygen-carrying capacity, control of systemic inflammation, and preservation of lean body mass. ProGo^® is a salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) with prior evidence of benefits on iron metabolism, inflammation, and metabolic health. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, active-controlled pilot study examined whether 56 days of daily ProGo^® supplementation could enhance key biological drivers of healthy ageing in overweight adults, compared with an iso-nitrogenous whey protein isolate (WPI). Primary outcomes were hematological parameters and a composite integumentary (hair, nail, and skin) score, assessed with Holm–Bonferroni multiplicity adjustment. Secondary outcomes included change in body composition, inflammatory biomarkers and glucose metabolism. Results: ProGo^® showed significant improvements in hemoglobin, RBC count, and ferritin, and in the integumentary composite score. Secondary analyses showed reductions in percent body fat and BMI, with preservation of lean body mass (LBM), alongside reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose. WPI had minimal impact on any of these outcomes. Conclusions: ProGo^® supplementation improved multiple key biological drivers of healthy ageing: erythropoietic function, systemic inflammation, glycemic control, and body composition. These findings are consistent with a bioactive rather than a purely nutritional effect and are hypothesis-generating with respect to a multi-domain profile relevant to healthy ageing and the maintenance of intrinsic capacity. Confirmation in larger studies is warranted.

Background/Objectives: Osteopenia is common in postmenopausal women and predisposes to osteoporosis and fracture, representing a population at risk of bone loss but without indication for pharmacologic therapy. Conventional calcium salts offer modest, often transient gains in bone mineral density (BMD). We evaluated whether CalGo^®, a salmon bone complex containing microcrystalline hydroxyapatite within a collagen-rich matrix, preserves BMD versus placebo in post-menopausal women with osteopenia. Methods: In a 24-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 women (50–80 years) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-confirmed femoral-neck osteopenia were assigned to CalGo^® (2 g/day) or placebo. The prespecified primary endpoint was 24-month change in femoral-neck BMD (g/cm²) analyzed by linear regression (unadjusted and baseline-adjusted). Secondary endpoints included lumbar spine and distal radius BMD, serum P1NP and β-CTX-I, health-related quality of life, and safety. Results: The primary analysis included participants with 24-month DXA (CalGo^® n = 29; placebo n = 30). Femoral-neck BMD was maintained with CalGo^® (+0.003 g/cm²; +0.4%) but declined with placebo (−0.017 g/cm²; −2.4%), yielding a significant baseline-adjusted between-group difference of +0.019 g/cm² (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.001–0.038; p = 0.044). Lumbar-spine loss was attenuated with CalGo^® (−0.005 g/cm²; −0.3%) versus placebo (−0.028 g/cm²; −3.4%); the adjusted difference favored CalGo^® (+0.026 g/cm²; p = 0.058). In exploratory responder analysis, ≥1% lumbar-spine gain was more likely with CalGo^® (32.5% vs. 11.4%; OR 3.61; p = 0.043). No treatment effects were observed at the distal radius, in P1NP or β-CTX-I, or in EQ-5D-3L/EQ-VAS. CalGo^® was well tolerated with no hepatic or renal safety signals. Conclusions: CalGo^® maintained femoral-neck bone mineral density and reduced lumbar-spine loss over 24 months in osteopenic women, with good tolerability. These findings support its potential role as a nutritional approach for maintaining bone health.

Background/Objectives: Osteopenia predisposes to osteoporosis and fracture, especially at the femoral neck and spine. Conventional calcium supplements offer modest benefit with tolerability limits. CalGo®, a salmon bone complex (calcium hydroxyapatite, colla-gen, trace minerals), may support skeletal health. We evaluated its efficacy and safety in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Methods: In a 24-month, randomized, dou-ble-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 women aged 50–80 years with DXA-confirmed fem-oral-neck osteopenia were assigned to daily CalGo® (n=40) or placebo (n=40). The prima-ry endpoint was 24-month change in femoral-neck BMD (g/cm²) analyzed by base-line-adjusted linear regression; secondary outcomes were lumbar spine and distal radius BMD, serum bone turnover markers (β-CTX-I, P1NP), health-related quality of life, and safety. Results: The primary analysis included participants with 24-month DXA (CalGo® n=29; placebo n=30). Femoral-neck BMD was maintained with CalGo® (+0.003 g/cm²; +0.4%) but declined with placebo (–0.017 g/cm²; –2.4%), yielding a significant base-line-adjusted between-group difference of +0.019 g/cm² (95% CI 0.001–0.038; p=0.044). Lumbar-spine loss was attenuated with CalGo® (–0.005 g/cm²; –0.3%) versus placebo (–0.028 g/cm²; –3.4%); the adjusted difference favored CalGo® (+0.026 g/cm²; p=0.058), and ≥1% spine gain was more likely with CalGo® (32.5% vs 11.4%; OR 3.61; p=0.043). No treatment effects were seen at the distal radius, in bone turnover markers, or in EQ-5D/EQ-VAS. CalGo® was well tolerated, with low adverse-event rates and no hepatic or renal safety signals. Conclusions: Over 24 months, CalGo® preserved femoral-neck BMD and attenuated lumbar-spine loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women, with a favorable safety profile.

This study examines the in vitro effects of a soluble protein hydrolysate (SPH) derived from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) on incretin receptor activity and pancreatic islet cell protection to explore the mechanisms underlying SPH’s observed benefits on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight individuals. SPH demonstrated a dose-dependent enhancement of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor activity, with significant increases of 2.4-fold (p < 0.05) and 2.6-fold (p < 0.01) at 10 mg/mL, respectively, compared to the control. Pancreatic islet cell assays showed a substantial proliferation effect, with up to a 57% increase at 50 µL/well, indicating potential protective properties against inflammation-induced cell loss. Notably, the smallest SPH peptide fraction (<1000 Da) exhibited GLP-1 agonist activity comparable to semaglutide, a widely used therapeutic agent, underscoring SPH’s potential efficacy in modulating metabolic pathways. These results suggest that SPH not only enhances key incretin signaling but also promotes islet cell health, positioning it as a promising dietary intervention to improve age-related metabolic health, including the weight gain and underlying adverse metabolic changes frequently encountered through the menopause.

Cytokines, chemokines, and interferons are released in response to viral infection with the ultimate aim of viral clearance. However, in SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is an imbalanced immune response, with raised cytokine levels but only a limited interferon response with inefficient viral clearance. Furthermore, the inflammatory response can be exaggerated, which risks both acute and chronic sequelae. Several observational studies have suggested a reduced risk of progression to severe COVID-19 in subjects with a higher omega-3 index. However, randomized studies of omega-3 supplementation have failed to replicate this benefit. Omega-3 fats provide important anti-inflammatory effects; however, fatty fish contains many other fatty acids that provide health benefits distinct from omega-3. Therefore, the immune health benefit of whole salmon oil (SO) was assessed in adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. Eleven subjects were randomized to best supportive care (BSC) with or without a full spectrum, enzymatically liberated SO, dosed at 4g daily, for twenty-eight days. Nasal swabs were taken to measure the change in gene expression of markers of immune response and showed that the SO provided both broad inflammation-resolving effects and improved interferon response. The results also suggest improved lung barrier function and enhanced immune memory, although the clinical relevance needs to be assessed in longer-duration studies. In conclusion, the salmon oil was well tolerated and provided broad inflammation-resolving effects, indicating a potential to enhance immune health.

Metabolic disorders are increasingly prevalent conditions that manifest pathophysiologically along a continuum. Among reported metabolic risk factors, elevated fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels have shown the most substantial increase in risk exposure. Ultimately leading to insulin resistance (IR), this condition is associated with notable deteriorations in the prognostic outlook for major diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer risk, and mortality related to cardiovascular disease. Tackling metabolic dysfunction, with a focus on prevention, is a critically important aspect for human health. In this study, an investigation into the potential antidiabetic properties of a salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) was conducted, focusing on its potential dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibition and direct glucose uptake in vitro. Characterization of the SPH utilized a bioassay-guided fractionation approach to identify potent glucoregulatory peptide fractions. Low-molecular-weight (MW) fractions prepared by membrane filtration (MWCO = 3 kDa) showed significant DPP-IV inhibition (IC₅₀ = 1.01 ± 0.12 mg/mL) and glucose uptake in vitro (p ≤ 0.0001 at 1 mg/mL). Further fractionation of the lowest MW fractions (p ≤ 0.0001), maintaining its potency even at a dilution of 1:500 (p ≤ 0.01).

Recent research highlights the key role of iron dyshomeostasis in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). PCa cells are heavily dependent on bioavailable iron, which frequently results in the reprogramming of iron uptake and storage pathways. Although advanced-stage PCa is currently incurable, bioactive peptides capable of modulating key iron-regulatory genes may constitute a means of exploiting a metabolic adaptation necessary for tumor growth. Recent annual increases in PCa incidence have been reported, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatments. We examined the ability of LNCaP, PC3, VCaP, and VCaP-EnzR cells to form colonies in the presence of androgen receptor inhibitors (ARI) and a series of iron-gene modulating oligopeptides (FT-001-FT-008). The viability of colonies following treatment was determined with clonogenic assays, and the expression levels of FTH1 (ferritin heavy chain 1) and TFRC (transferrin receptor) were determined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Peptides and ARIs combined significantly reduced PCa cell growth across all phenotypes, of which two peptides were the most effective. Colony growth suppression generally correlated with the magnitude of concurrent increases in FTH1 and decreases in TFRC expression for all cells. The results of this study provide preliminary insight into a novel approach at targeting iron dysmetabolism and sensitizing PCa cells to established cancer treatments.

Eosinophils are a major driver of inflammation in a number of human diseases, including asthma. Biologic therapies targeting IL-5 have enabled better control of severe eosinophilic asthma, but no such advances have been made for enhancing the control of moderate asthma. However, a number of moderate asthma sufferers remain troubled by unresolved symptoms, treatment side effects, or both. OmeGo, an enzymatically liberated fish oil, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties including the reduction of eosinophilia. A house dust mite model of induced asthma in mice was utilized in this study, and OmeGo showed a significant reduction in eosinophilic lung and systemic inflammation and reduced lung remodelling compared to cod liver oil. The CRTH2 antagonist fevipiprant showed an anti-inflammatory profile similar to that of OmeGo. OmeGo has the potential to be a pragmatic, cost-effective co-treatment for less severe forms of eosinophilic asthma. Proof-of-concept studies are planned.

Prostate cancer is a common cause of cancer death in men. In advanced stages of prostate cancer, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is initiated. Despite ADT, prostate cancers invariably progress to become androgen independent. A growing body of evidence implicates iron dysmetabolism in prostate cancer progression. A bioactive peptide-rich salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) has previously been demonstrated to modulate iron homeostatic mechanisms. In the present study, the anticancer effect of SPH and bicalutamide co-treatment on LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cell proliferation was investigated. Our results found that SPH potentiates the anti-proliferative effect of bicalutamide in a dose-dependent manner for both cell lines. In the presence of 160 µg/mL SPH, co-treatment with 1.0 µM bicalutamide decreased LNCaP cells’ relative colony survival from 25% (1.0 µM bicalutamide monotreatment) to 2% after culturing for 12 days. For PC3 cells, the relative colony survival diminished from 52% (10.0 µM bicalutamide) to 32% at an SPH concentration of 160 µg/mL. Gene expression profiling, employing quantitative real-time PCR, revealed that the inhibitory effects were related to significant FTH1 up-regulation with a concomitant TFRC down-regulation. In conclusion, our results provide in vitro evidence that SPH potentiates the growth inhibitory effect of bicalutamide on prostate cancer cells by modulating iron homeostasis mechanisms.