Efficacy and Safety of Antarctic Krill Oil Extract (FJH-KO) on Platelet Aggregation and Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Impaired platelet function, endothelial activation, and vascular stiffness contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. Antarctic krill oil contains bioactive compounds that may support vascular function. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Antarctic krill oil extract (FJH-KO) on platelet function and arterial stiffness in healthy adults. METHODS: A total of 120 adults aged 19 to 70 years were randomized to receive low-dose FJH-KO (375 mg/day), high-dose FJH-KO (750 mg/day), or placebo for twelve weeks. The functional efficacy analysis was performed on a per-protocol (PP) basis. The primary outcome was platelet aggregation time. Secondary outcomes included brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV), blood pressure, platelet-related and endothelial biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and fibrinolytic parameters. RESULTS: Overall, 115 participants completed the study. FJH-KO supplementation showed significant between-group differences in platelet aggregation time and ba-PWV. Notably, the high-dose group demonstrated a significant reduction in ba-PWV compared to the placebo group (p = 0.006), reflecting reduced arterial stiffness. High-dose FJH-KO was also associated with a within-group reduction in P-selectin, while intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) decreased in the low-dose and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve-weeks supplementation with high-dose FJH-KO was well tolerated and was associated with favorable between-group differences in PFA-200 closure time and ba-PWV in healthy adults. These findings suggest potential effects on platelet and vascular function.