Copepod oil composition, formulations comprising the oil composition, and the use thereof to reduce accumulation of visceral fat, improve glucose tolerance, and prevent or treat obesity related diseases and disorders

Abstract

This invention relates to an oil composition, preferably obtained from a copepod, and the use thereof to reduce accumulation of visceral fat and counteract impairment of heart function caused by obesity inducing Western diets. The oil composition of the present invention can thus be used to reduce abdominal obesity and improve glucose tolerance and thus to reduce the risk of obesity related diseases such as but not limited to type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, or to prevent or treat such diseases.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . Oil composition comprising 20-100% by weight of wax esters, wherein said wax esters consist of monoesters of mono- or polyunsaturated C16 to C22 fatty acids and monounsaturated C16 to C22 fatty alcohols. 
     
     
         19 . Composition according to  claim 18  comprising 40-85% by weight of wax esters. 
     
     
         20 . Composition according to  claim 18  wherein 70% or more of the monounsaturated fatty alcohols of the wax esters are C16:1, C20:1 and C22:1. 
     
     
         21 . Composition according to  claim 18  wherein 70% or more of the fatty alcohols of the wax esters are monounsaturated, and wherein 50% or more of the fatty acids of the wax ester are either mono- or polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
         22 . Composition according to any one of  claims 18  to  21  wherein the composition comprises 5-20% by weight of stearidonic acid (SDA). 
     
     
         23 . Composition according to  claim 22  wherein the composition comprises 3-20% by weight of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 2-15% by weight of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         24 . Composition according to  claim 23  wherein the composition comprises fatty alcohols and SDA, DHA and EPA as monoesters. 
     
     
         25 . Composition according to  claim 18  wherein the composition contains 500-4000 ppm of astaxanthin. 
     
     
         26 . Composition according to any one of  claim 18  to  21  or  25  wherein said composition is isolated from a copepod of the genus  Calanus.    
     
     
         27 . Composition according to  claim 26  wherein said copepod is of the species  Calanus finmarchicus.    
     
     
         28 . A composition according to any one of  claim 18  to  21  or  25 , wherein the composition is provided as a pharmaceutical composition in capsules, tablets, emulsions or tonics. 
     
     
         29 . A composition according to  claim 28 , further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additives selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, stabilizers, antioxidants, emulsifiers, surfactants and carriers. 
     
     
         30 . A method for the prevention or treatment of abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition comprising 20-100% by weight of wax esters, wherein said wax esters consist of monoesters of mono- or polyunsaturated C16 to C22 fatty acids and monounsaturated C16 to C22 fatty alcohols. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition comprising 40-85% by weight of wax esters. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 30 , comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition wherein 70% or more of the monounsaturated fatty alcohols of the wax esters are C16:1, C20:1 and C22:1. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 30 , comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition wherein 70% or more of the fatty alcohols of the wax esters are monounsaturated, and wherein 50% or more of the fatty acids of the wax ester are either mono- or polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 30 , comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition comprising 5-20% by weight of stearidonic acid (SDA 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 30 , comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a clinically effective dosage of composition containing 500-4000 ppm of astaxanthin 
     
     
         36 . A method according to any one of  claims 30  to  35 , wherein the clinically effective dosage is a daily amount of 0.5 to 5 g of the oil composition.