New Marine Resources

The main aim is to evaluate the potential of seafood, in particular “new marine resources” to attenuate development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Low trophic marine resources (macroalgae, mussels, mesopelagic fish) have the potential to enter the human food basket either directly or indirectly through aquaculture. Due to the pressure on marine resources and thereby marine feed ingredients, research on use of lower trophic species in aquafeed is strengthened. In this respect, inclusion of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in salmon feed may represent a sustainable solution. Unpublished research indicate that salmon fed blue mussels thrive and grow normally. However, it is not known how blue mussels affect different obesity related disorders, and also it is not investigated the health effect of salmon fed blue mussels. Here, we aim to evaluate if salmon fed blue mussels, have similar health effects on the consumers as traditionally fed salmons. We specifically aim to investigate if blue mussel fed salmon have an improved ability to protect against obesity related disorders. Hence, salmon fed different amounts of blue mussels will be incorporated in a meat based obesogenic western diet that subsequently will be fed to obesity and type 2 diabetes prone C57BL/6J mice. Secondly, we aim to examine the direct effect of blue mussels, by including blue mussel meal, in a dose dependent manner in a meat based obesogenic western diet that we will feed C57BL/6J mice. The impact from inclusion of different dietary proteins derived from low trophic levels are not known how to impact on obesity and related diseases and this is not investigated before.Third we aim to examine the potential of other low trophic species, silvery lightfish (Maurolicus muelleri), lantern fish (Benthosema glaciale) and Norwegian krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica), as new marine resources, to protect against development of obesity and related diseases. Body weight gain, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity will be measured during the trials. Biochemical, histological and molecular analyses will be performed to evaluate the mechanisms of action. No invasive procedures are planned during the experiment. Together, 200 male C57BL/6J mice will be included in these animal trials and the experimental set-up is performed in order to minimize the stress of the animals and reduce animals to lowest possible number. All animal handling will be performed by experienced staff, and care is taken to minimize stress imposed on the animals during procedures. A whole organism is necessary in order to detect whole body metabolism involved in the development of diet induced obesity and diabetes. This experiment will provide valuable knowledge regarding the potential of low tropic marine species to protect against development of obesity and diabetes.