The Effects of PCSO-524®, a Patented Marine Oil Lipid derived from the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus), on Pulmonary and Respiratory Muscle Function in Non-asthmatic Elite Runners

Habitual endurance training may be associated with mild airway inflammation and subsequent deterioration in lung function. PCSO-524™ (Lyprinol®/Omega-XL®), a supplement extracted from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), has been shown to moderate airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementation with PCSO-524™ improves pulmonary and respiratory muscle function in non-asthmatic elite runners. Sixteen male, non-asthmatic elite runners were randomly assigned to either a treatment (PCSO-524™; 1 capsule contains 50 mg n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100 mg olive oil, n=8) or placebo (1 capsule contains 150 mg olive oil; n=8) group. During the supplementation period, subjects ingested 8 capsules of either treatment or placebo per day for 12 weeks. Resting pulmonary and respiratory muscle function testing were assessed at baseline and every two weeks throughout the 12 week supplementation period. No significant between-or within-subjects main effects were observed in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1-second, forced expiratory flow from 25–75% of lung volume (FEF(25–75)), peak expiratory flow, maximal voluntary ventilation, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, and closing volume (p>0.05). A significant within-subjects main effect was observed in maximal expiratory mouth pressure (P(Emax)) (p=0.024) and lung diffusion capacity (D(LCO)) (p<0.0001), but no significant between-subjects main effects were observed for P(Emax) and D(LCO) (p>0.05). A significant treatment by time interaction was observed in FEF(25–75) (p=0.026) and D(LCO) (p=0.024), but no other significant interactions were observed (all p>0.05). Supplementation with PCSO-524™ (Lyprinol®/Omega-XL®) does not improve pulmonary or respiratory muscle function in non-asthmatic elite runners.