Previous research has shown that populations eating a lot of fish containing omega-3 fatty acids have lower rates of type 2 diabetes compared with those eating less fish.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether saponified fish oil influences glucose uptake and survival rate of L6 muscle cells. The L6 rat muscle cells were grown to confluence in either low (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose media for seven days in the presence of either 3 µg/ml or 30 µg/ml saponified Arctic Omega Liquid (863 mg omega-3), Pro Omega Liquid (1601 mg omega-3g), ProDHA (580 mg omega-3) and ProEFA Liquid (706 mg omega-3 + 83 mg GLA) for the final 24 hours of incubation.

After 24 hours of incubation with varied doses of saponified fish oil, cells were exposed to 2-deoxy-glucose, 14C glucose, or 3H-palmitate in the presence of insulin (1000 nm). Also, superoxide anion production and cell livability were assessed.
14C glucose incorporation to glycogen, glucose uptake and palmitate uptake per gram protein, and cell livability significantly decreased (P<0.05), while superoxide anion production significantly increased (P<0.05) after exposure to 25 mM glucose compared to 5 mM glucose media.

Despite a numerical dose response, saponified arctic omega liquid, pro omega liquid, and ProDHA significantly increased (p<0.05) while ProEFA numerically improved glucose uptake. The fish oil examined in this study did not (P>0.1) affect 14C glucose incorporation to glycogen, palmitate uptake, or superoxide anion production. Saponified arctic omega liquid exhibited a numerical improvement in cell livability compared to pro omega liquid and a significant (P<0.05) enhancement in cell livability compared to ProDHA and ProEFA. Saponified Pro Omega liquid exhibited a numerical improvement in cell livability compared to Pro-DHA and a significant (P<0.05) enhancement in cell livability compared to Pro-EFA.

In conclusion, the potential benefit of fish oil on glucose uptake and cell livability depends on the concentration of omega-3 taken up by the L6 muscle cells.


This study was conducted using Nordic Naturals Pro Omega™/Ultimate Omega™; Pro DHA™/DHA™; and Pro EFA™/Complete Omega (formally Complete Omega 3-6-9™).