Study of Metabolic Absorption Rates of DHA-Taurine as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Summary

* Omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have well-established health benefits and are widely used to improve cardiometabolic health. However, conventional DHA supplements require normal digestion and absorption of dietary fat, which may limit their effectiveness in individuals with impaired fat absorption or those consuming very low-fat diets.
* This study investigates the absorption of a novel DHA-containing molecule, DHA-taurine (DHA-T), compared with a conventional DHA ethyl ester (DHA-EE) supplement. Preclinical studies suggest that DHA-T may be absorbed through a different mechanism that is less dependent on normal fat digestion and may therefore provide a more effective way of delivering DHA.
* The primary objective is to compare plasma DHA concentrations following administration of DHA-T and DHA-EE under fasting conditions without a meal. The study also evaluates plasma DHA-T concentrations to improve understanding of the absorption, transport, and metabolism of DHA-T in humans.
* This is a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in seven healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 30 years. Each participant receives both study interventions in random order, separated by an approximately two-week washout period, allowing each participant to serve as his own control. On each study day, participants undergo repeated blood sampling and ultrasound measurements of gallbladder volume over an 8-hour absorption test following administration of the assigned study intervention.
* The results of this study will improve understanding of the absorption and metabolism of DHA-T and may support the future development of omega-3 formulations that are effective even when normal fat absorption is impaired.

Conditions

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Absorption of Omega-3
• Pharmacokinetics

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

DHA-taurine

Weight-adjusted oral administration of DHA-taurine (2 mg/kg) under fasting conditions. Participants received a single dose on one study visit as part of a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Plasma DHA and DHA-taurine concentrations were measured during an 8-hour absorption test.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

DHA ethyl ester

Weight-adjusted oral administration of DHA ethyl ester (1.637 mg/kg, equimolar DHA content to 2 mg/kg DHA-taurine) under fasting conditions. Participants received a single dose on one study visit as part of a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Plasma DHA concentrations were measured during an 8-hour absorption test.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Copenhagen

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Trisha J Grevengoed, PhD · University of Copenhagen

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-15

Primary Completion

2025-08-19

Completion

2025-10-29

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations