The Effects of Astaxanthin - Gastric Health

 

 

 

Astaxanthin for Dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori

 

Dyspepsia is the general term given to a variety of digestive problems localized in the upper abdominal region. Typical symptoms for example include stomach pain, gas, acid-reflux or bloating. Dyspepsia is like the stomach version of the irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms may appear at any age or to any gender. The medical approach to dyspepsia involves looking for treatable causes and addressing them if identified. Failing that, doctors suggest treatments by trial-and-error. The problem associated with this non-standardized approach involves drugs that may not work, may cause side effects and exacerbate the patient’s condition brought on by stressful attempts to cure symptoms.
To understand the benefits of astaxanthin in dyspepsia, it is necessary to categorize specific types; most common forms are either non-ulcer dyspepsia or gastric dyspepsia. Non-ulcer dyspepsia problems usually do not have an identifiable cause, but fortunately, for most cases it is non-disease related and therefore temporary. On the other hand, gastric type dyspepsia is more severe and linked to identifiable causes. For example, the bacterial infection of Helicobacter pylori is a commonly known cause. Pathological symptoms of H. pylori infection include high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the stomach lining and symptoms like gastric pain and acid reflux., H. pylori can contribute to mild and severe kinds of symptoms, but on the other hand, people who are H. pylori positive can remain asymptomatic whereas others may develop into clinical problems. It is still unclear what triggers the severe form of infection and how the bacteria is passed on, but scientists suggested using strong antioxidants like astaxanthin for therapy and better long term protection.

Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Dyspepsia

This Gram-negative bacterium is present in approximately half of the world population, and typically resides in the human gastric epithelium (stomach lining). H. pylori infection is generally acknowledged as the main cause for type B gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The pathogenesis of this infection is partly due to the immunological response as shown by Bennedsen et al., (1999). Astaxanthin (200 mg/kg body weight) fed to H. pylori infected mice for 10 days exhibited signs of improved immune system. Normally, the T-helper1 (Th1) response exacerbates inflammation and epithelial cell damage due to infection, but the astaxanthin treated mice responded with a mixed Th1/Th2-response (Figure 1), which lowered gastric inflammation (Figure 2) and bacterial loads (Figure 3). Furthermore, the findings by Wang et al., (2000) also supported the idea that a diet supplemented with astaxanthin or vitamin C in mice lowered inflammation after 10-days of treatment (in vivo), and also inhibit H. pylori growth (in vitro). The mice treated with astaxanthin (10 mg/kg body weight) had the same effect as vitamin C (400 mg/Kg) which significantly lowered gastric inflammation and lipid peroxidation (Figure 4) compared to infected control mice; which continued to develop severe gastritis.

Figure 1. IL-4 release of splenocytes after restimulation with H. pylori sonicate (Bennedsen et al., 1999)  

Astaxanthin improved the cytokine IL-4 response (Th2 T-cell) to the presence of H. pylori (in vitro).

Figure 2. Gastric inflammation (antrum + corpus) (Bennedsen et al., 1999)

   

Astaxanthin reduced gastric inflammation in Helicobacter pylori infected mice.

Figure 3. Bacterial load (antrum + corpus) (Bennedsen et al., 1999)  

Astaxanthin reduced Helicobacter pylori colonization of the stomach of infected mice.

Figure 4. Amount of lipid peroxidation products (MDA and 4-hydroxyalkenals) during H. pylori infection (Wang et al., 2000) 

 

Lipid peroxidation levels lowered in H. pylori infected mice after treatment with astaxanthin or Vitamin C.

The success of astaxanthin in dyspepsia animal models prompted further prospective human studies. In 1999, the first clinical study performed in collaboration with the Centre for Digestive Diseases, Australia, involved 10 H. pylori positive subjects (non-ulcer) with typical dyspeptic symptoms such as heartburn and gastric pain, were each treated with 40 mg daily dose of astaxanthin for 21 days. 10 clinical parameters assessed the efficacy before and after the treatment period. The gastric pain, heartburn and total clinical symptoms results showed a significant drop of 66%, 78% and 52% drop respectively (Figure 5). Furthermore, follow-up checks 27 days after the cessation of astaxanthin intake (a total of 49 days from day 0), showed that the dyspeptic symptoms remained low (Lignell et al., 1999). In summary, astaxanthin effectively controlled the dyspepsia symptoms, and H. pylori eradication trend was observed, but not significant.

Figure 5. Total Clinical Symptoms (Lignell et al., 1999)  

Astaxanthin reduced total grade of clinical symptoms in H. pylori positive non-ulcer dyspeptic subjects after 21 days. Low symptom score continued even up to 28 days after treatment ceased.

Reflux in Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia

 

Approximately one in four people experience dyspepsia at some time that are linked to common causes such as food types, stress, stomach ulcers, or acid reflux (stomach acid backs-up into the esophagus). If the exact causes of non-ulcer dyspepsia are unknown, there are no standardized treatments that exist to effectively treat the patient. The usual procedure involves the problematic remedies of acid blocking medicines, painkillers or antibiotics. However, drug treatment faces problems with increasing antibiotic resistant bacteria and carries increased risk of damage to the stomach. Therefore, clinically proven non-drug treatments are becoming more attractive to physicians and patients.
Astaxanthin efficacy in non-ulcer dyspepsia was demonstrated in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving 131 patients complaining of non-ulcer dyspepsia. This collaborative trial conducted by the Kaunas University Hospital, Lithuania; Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen; University of Lund and the Karolinska Institute, Sweden demonstrated that 40 mg astaxanthin treatment up to 4 weeks significantly reduced reflux compared to the 16 mg.

Figure 6. Reflux-syndrome 

   

Reduced reflux-syndrome score of non-ulcer dyspepsia patients treated with 16 mg and 40 mg astaxanthin.

Outlook

There are considerable overlaps in a number of gastrointestinal disorders that may be treatable with conventional medicine, but what if it does not work? In that case, astaxanthin may be useful, particularly against H. pylori positive gastritis and non-ulcer dyspepsia acid reflux. The mechanisms of action include the following: decreasing oxidative stress by astaxanthin’s potent antioxidant property; controlling bacterial infection by shifting the immune response; and alleviating dyspeptic symptoms by retarding inflammation. Furthermore, these results infer that acid reflux in connection with either H. pylori positive or negative conditions can still expect improvements with astaxanthin.

References

1. Bennedsen M, Wang X, Willen R. Treatment of H. pylori infected mice with antioxidant astaxanthin reduces gastric inflammation, bacterial load and modulates cytokine release by splenocytes. Immunol Lett. 1999. 70: 185-189.
2. Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, Kiudelis G, Jonaitis L, Adamonis K, Andersen LP, Wadstrom T. Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study. Phytomedicine 2008. 15: 391–399.
3. Lignell A, Surace R, Bottiger P, Borody TJ. Symptom improvement in Helicobacter pylori positive non-ulcer dyspeptic patient after treatment with the carotenoid astaxanthin. In: 12th International Carotenoid Symposium, Cairns, Australia, 18-23 July 1999.
4. Wang X, Willen R, Wadstrom T. Astaxanthin rich algal meal and vitamin C inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection in BALB/cA mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2000. 44: 2452-2457.

CCRES special thanks to 

  Mr. Mitsunori Nishida, 

 
President of Corporate Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

The Effects of Astaxanthin - Type 2 Diabetes

 

 

Draining the World Wealth

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide epidemic that is critically linked to prevalence of obesity. More than 220 million people have diabetes and by the year 2030 the figures are expected to grow to 360 million. The diabetes is aggressively growing in both emerging and developed country. According to WHO, the Asian continent has over 90 million people suffering from diabetes – India (40 million) China (29 million); Indonesia (13 million) and Japan (7 million). The prevalence of diabetic patients remains pervasive in USA (22 million), Brazil (6 million), Pakistan (8 million); Russia (6 million); Italy (5 million) and Turkey (4 million). Even in the African region over 10 million people suffer from diabetes, especially in Nigeria where it is expected to reach 5 million within the year 2030.
Diabetic complications lead to heart disease (approximately 65% of death amongst diabetics), blindness, kidney failure and amputations. As a result, the indirect and direct medical expenditure of diabetics represent almost 5 times that of a non-diabetic.

Type 2 Diabetes: A Preventable Disease

 

In most cases, diabetes is treated with medication, although about 20% of diabetics may be managed by lifestyle changes. This means that even if we cannot change the genetic influences, fortunately, for most of us diabetes is preventable; for example, making dietary changes, taking nutritional supplements and exercising. To highlight this, people in high risk groups who achieve a 5-7% cut in body weight will reduce risk of developing diabetes approximately 58% across all age and ethnic groups.
While the debate between the contributory effects of carbohydrate and fat intake continues unabated, research reveals a strong link between foods with high glycemic index and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Excess blood glucose needs to be converted by insulin (produced by the pancreas ß-cells) into glycogen stores, however, when glycogen stores are full, glucose is converted into fat. Over time, the body’s cells may eventually become desensitized to insulin making it necessary to produce more insulin to achieve the same affect. It is this process that would eventually lead to a state known as hyperinsulinaemic state. As a result, the body looses its ability to control high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) that could result in toxic conditions and promote further complications such as kidney failure.

New Evidences Emerging from Human Studies

In an anti-aging study conducted by Iwabayashi et al., (2009), 20 female volunteers with increased oxidative stress burden ingested 12 mg/day of astaxanthin for 8 weeks. Results evidenced a significant decrease of diabetes-related parameters that collectively predict trends in diabetes development. Firstly, astaxanthin reduced cortisol by 23 percent.

Astaxanthin Retards Glucose Toxicity and Kidney Damage

Astaxanthin displayed positive effects in a type 2 diabetic mouse model in that it reduced the disease progression by retarding glucose toxicity and kidney damage. This has profound implications for people who belong to high risk groups, display pre-diabetic conditions (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) or want to manage advanced diabetic kidney problems (nephropathy).
Studies suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hyperglycemia contributes to the onset of Diabetes mellitus and its complications. Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins and mitochondria, prevalent in diabetic conditions, is a major source of ROS. For example, pancreatic ß-cells kept in high glucose concentrations show presence of advanced glycosylation products, a source of ROS, which cause the following: i) reduction of insulin expression and ii) induction of cell death (apoptosis). ß–cells are especially vulnerable to ROS because these cells are inherently low in antioxidant status and therefore, requires long term protection. A recent study demonstrated that antioxidants (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, vitamins C and E) exerted beneficial effects in diabetic conditions such as preservation of ß-cell function, so it is likely that a more potent antioxidant such as astaxanthin can do the same or better.
In another study conducted by Preuss et al. (2009), 12 rats fed with 25mg/kg of astaxanthin show a significant decrease in insulin resistance by 13.5%.

Modulation of Glucose Toxicity

Uchiyama et al., 2002 demonstrated in obese diabetes type 2 mouse model that astaxanthin preserved pancreatic ß -cell dysfunction against oxidative damage. Treated mice received 1 mg astaxanthin/day at 6 weeks of age and then tests performed at 6, 12 and 18 weeks. Observations of astaxanthin treated mice (N=8) included: i) significantly reduced fasting glucose sugar levels at 12.

Figure 1. Astaxanthin improved the glucose levels in the Intraperitoneally Glucose Tolerance Test (IPGT) in diabetic mouse model (Uchiyama et al., 2002)

Figure 2. Astaxanthin preserved insulin sensitivity in the diabetic mouse model (Uchiyama et al., 2002)

Figure 3. Astaxanthin protected kidney function measured by urinary albumin protein loss (Naito et al., 2004) 

 

Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy

As well as substantiating observations by Uchiyama et al., Naito demonstrated that astaxanthin treated type 2 diabetic mice which normally shows renal insufficiency at 16 weeks of age in fact exhibited 67% less urinary albumin loss.

Figure 4. Astaxanthin reduced the amount of DNA damage indicated by urinary 8-OHdG levels (Naito et al., 2004) 

 

Figure 5. Astaxanthin preserved the relative mesangial area.

 
Earlier it was unclear how astaxanthin could ameliorate the progression of diabetic nephropathy, but new evidence revealed additional information in the mechanism of action. Naito et al., (2006) examined changes in the gene expression profile of glomerular cells in diabetic mouse model during the early phase of diabetic nephropathy. The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway was most significantly affected by high-glucose concentration (mediated via reactive oxygen species). Long term treatment with astaxanthin significantly modulated genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, oxidative stress and the TGF-ß-collagen synthesis system.

Manabe et al., 2007 went further and analyzed normal human mesangial cells (NHMC) exposed to high glucose concentrations. In the presence of astaxanthin, it significantly suppressed ROS production (Figure 6) and inhibited nuclear translocation and activation of NF-ĸB (Figure 7) in the mitochondria of NHMC. Furthermore, this was the first time to detect astaxanthin in the mitochondrial membrane (Table 1) and its presence also suppressed ROS attack on membrane proteins.

Figure 6. Astaxanthin reduced ROS production in NHMC-mitochondria exposed to high glucose (Manabe et al., 2007) 

   

Top left panel: mitochondria as green fluorescence, Top right panel: ROS as red fluorescence; Bottom right panel: Merged picture as yellow fluorescence.

Figure 7. Astaxanthin suppressed high-glucose induced nuclear translocation and activation of NF-ĸB (Manabe et al., 2007) 

 

Table 1. Astaxanthin content in NHMC mitochondria expressed as percentage of total astaxanthin added. 

Mean of 3 samples. (Manabe et al., 2007)

Outlook

Although clinical trials involving antioxidants in humans have only recently begun, these preliminary results concluded that strong antioxidant supplementation may improve type 2 diabetic control and inhibit progressive renal damage by circumventing the effects of glycation-mediated ROS under hyperglycemic conditions. Astaxanthin improved pancreas function, insulin sensitivity, reduced kidney damage and glucose toxicity in diabetic mouse models. New techniques by gene chip analysis and fluorescence imaging revealed further details of mechanism and site of protection by astaxanthin. Further research and clinical studies are still required. However, it is reasonable to suggest that astaxanthin may be useful as part of a nutrigenomic strategy for type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.

References

1. Forefront (Summer/Fall) 2005, American Diabetes Association.
2. Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals June 2004. "The dietary solution to diabetes."
3. HSR Health Supplement Retailer July 2004. "Fighting Diabetes the natural way."
4. Iwabayashi M, Fujioka N, Nomoto K, Miyazaki R, Takahashi H, Hibino S, Takahashi Y, Nishikawa K, Nishida M, Yonei Y. (2009). Efficacy and safety of eight-week treatment with astaxanthin in individuals screened for increased oxidative stress burden. J. Anti Aging Med., 6 (4):15-21.
5. Manabe E, Handa O, Naito Y, Mizushima K, Akagiri S, Adachi S, Takagi T, Kokura S, Maoka T, Yoshikawa T. (2008). Astaxanthin protects mesangial cells from hyperglycemia-induced oxidative signaling. J. Cellular Biochem. 103 (6):1925-37.
6. Naito Y, Uchiyama K, Aoi W, Hasegawa G, Nakamura N, Yoshida N, Maoka T, Takahashi J, Yoshikawa T. (2004) Prevention of diabetic nephropathy by treatment with astaxanthin in diabetic db/db mice. BioFactors 20:49-59. Nutritional Outlook April. "Fighting Diabetes"
7. Naito Y, Uchiyama K, Mizushima K, Kuroda M, Akagiri S, Takagi T, Handa O, Kokura S, Yoshida N, Ichikawa H, Takahashi J, Yoshikawa T. (2006). Microarray profiling of gene expression patterns in glomerular cells of astaxanthin-treated diabetic mice: a nutrigenomic approach. Int. J. Mol. Med.,18:685-695.
8. Preuss H, Echard B, Bagchi D, Perricone VN, Yamashita E. (2009). Astaxanthin lowers blood pressure and lessens the activity of the renin-angiotensin system in Zucker Fatty Rats. J. Funct. Foods, I:13-22.
9. The Global Diabetes Community. http://www.diabetes.co.uk. Article retrieved on June 8th, 2010.
10. Uchiyama K, Naito Y, Hasegawa G, Nakamura N, Takahashi J, Yoshikawa T. (2002). Astaxanthin Protects β–cells against glucose toxicity in diabetic db/db mice. Redox Rep., 7(5):290-293.

CCRES special thanks to 

  Mr. Mitsunori Nishida, 

 
President of Corporate Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) 

The Effects of Astaxanthin - Hypertension

 

 

Astaxanthin Reduces Hypertension

 

Epidemiological and clinical data suggest that dietary carotenoids such as astaxanthin may protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD) which includes hypertension. This condition is associated with blood vessel dysfunction, altered contractility and tone; mediated by relaxant (nitric oxide NO; prostacyclin) and constrictor factors (thromboxane; endothelin) in the blood. Furthermore, blood flow properties serve an important role in the pathological complications seen in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Research presented here suggests that astaxanthin may be useful as part of an antioxidant therapy to alleviate hypertension (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Mechanisms by which Astaxanthin reduces hypertension

Reduction of Arterial Blood Pressure

An early study involving a composition of carotenoids have been used against hypertension or high blood pressure (BP), but Hussein et al., (2005a) published the first study involving astaxanthin with spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and stroke prone (SHR-SP). This study investigated the effects of astaxanthin on the aortic vessel blood pressure (BP) in relation to endothelium and nitric oxide (NO) to elucidate mechanism and response.

Figure 2. Astaxanthin (5mg/kg/day) treated SHR reduced mean blood pressure. Hussein et al., 2005b.

In a double blind controlled placebo study conducted in Japan, 20 healthy postmenopausal women, who ingested 12 mg everyday for 4 weeks, reduced their systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 7% and 4%
In another study, 15 healthy subjects, between 27-50 of age, who received 9mg/day of astaxanthin for 12 weeks had their diastolic blood pressure decreased by 6% (Matsuyama et al., 2010).
A series of animal studies have largely replicated the effects of astaxanthin found in human studies (Ruiz et al., 2010; Preuss, 2009; Preuss, 2011).

Figure 3. Open Label Clinical Study. 73 subjects between 20-60 years of age received 4mg of astaxanthin x day for 4 weeks (Sato et al 2009)

Mechanism of Anti-hypertension

The antihypertensive mechanism may be in part explained by the changes of vascular reactivity and hemorheology.
Microchannel Array Flow Analysis (MC-FAN) measured a significant increase of blood flow of 11% (Figure 3) in the astaxanthin treated group.

Figure 4. Open Label Clinical Study 35 healthy postmenopausal women (BMI 22.1) were included in the study, treated with astaxanthin daily dose of 12 mg for 8 weeks

In a human study conducted by Iwabayashi et.al., (2009) , 20 healthy women who ingested 6mg / day for 8 weeks increased ABI (ankle brachial pressure index) by 4% suggesting a reduction of lower limb vascular resistance. Another human study also prove that oral administration of 6 mg/day of astaxanthin for 10 days enhanced capillary blood flow by 10%.

Figure 5. Astaxanthin (6 mg/day) supplementation for 10 days improves blood flow in humans as tested by MC-FAN. Miyawaki et al., 2005.

Figure 6. Astaxanthin increases relaxant and reduces constrictor mechanisms to help reduce blood pressure in SHR.

 

Indeed, Hussein et al., (2006b) demonstrated that 5 mg/day of astaxanthin for 7 weeks decreased vascular wall thickness by 47%.

Figure 7. A) Coronary artery wall is thinner and lumen is wider in astaxanthin treated rats. B) Elastin bands are also fewer in number and less elastic compared to the control groups which also show intense and branched elastine feature (C). Hussein et al., (2006a).

Outlook

The oxidative status and physiological condition during hypertension are successfully mediated by astaxanthin. The mechanisms of action include improved blood rheology, modulation of constrictor and dilator factors and blood vessel remodelling. Although, these findings are based on spontaneous hypertensive rat models, these serve as a solid basis for extending the hypothesis to human clinical trials.

References

1. Hussein G, Nakamura M, Zhao Q, Iguchi T, Goto H, Sankawa U, Watanabe H. (2005)a. Antihypertensive and neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin in experimental animals. Biol. Pharm. Bull., 28(1):47-52.
2. Hussein G, Goto H, Oda S, Iguchi T, Sankawa U, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H. (2005)b. Antihypertensive potential and mechanism of action of astaxanthin II. Vascular reactivity and hemorheology in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biol. Pharm. Bull., 28(6):967-971.
3. Hussein G, Goto H, Oda S, Sankawa U, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H. (2006)a. Antihypertensive potential and mechanism of action of astaxanthin: III. Antioxidant and histopathological effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29(4):684-688.
4. Hussein G, Sankawa U, Goto H, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H. (2006)b. Astaxanthin, a Carotenoid with Potential in Human Health and Nutrition. J. Nat. Prod., 69(3):443 – 449.
5. Iwabayashi M, Fujioka N, Nomoto K, Miyazaki R, Takahashi H, Hibino S, Takahashi Y, Nishikawa K, Nishida M, Yonei Y. (2009). Efficacy and safety of eight-week treatment with astaxanthin in individuals screened for increased oxidative stress burden. J. Anti Aging Med., 6 (4):15-21.
6. Kudo Y, Nakajima R, Matsumoto N. (2002). Effects of astaxanthin on brain damages due to ischemia. Carotenoid Science (5):25.
7. Li W, Hellsten A, Jacobsson LS, Blomqvist HM, Olsson AG, Yuan XM. (2004). Alpha-tocopherol and astaxanthin decrease macrophage infiltration, apoptosis and vulnerability in atheroma of hyperlipidaemic rabbits. J. Mol. Cell. Cardio., 37(5):969-978.
8. Miyawaki H, Takahashi J, Tsukahara H, Takehara I. (2005). Effects of astaxanthin on human blood rheology. J. Clin. Thera. Med., 21(4):421-429.
9. Preuss H, Echard B, Bagchi D, Perricone VN, Yamashita E. (2009). Astaxanthin lowers blood pressure and lessens the activity of the renin-angiotensin system in Zucker Fatty Rats. J. Funct. Foods, I:13-22.

CCRES special thanks to 

  Mr. Mitsunori Nishida, 

 
President of Corporate Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) 

Budućnost ugodnog stanovanja - BUS

 U organizaciji Hrvatskog Centra Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE) nastavljeno je predstavljanje hrvatskih visokotehnoloških tvrtki, udruga i poduzetnika na europskim i svjetskim portalima kojima je zajednički predznak energetika, obnovljivi izvori energije i očuvanje okoliša.
 „Želim naglasiti da će hrvatske tvrtke, udruge i poduzetnici ovdje biti promovirane ne samo da bi prodavali svoje proizvode nego i da bi svoje znanje razvoja informacijskih i energetskih tehnologija podijelile s sličnim svjetskim tvrtkama, poduzetnicima iz razvijenih nacija kojima se Republika Hrvatska prilagođava i politički i gospodarski. Nadam se da će naše prezentacije hrvatskih tvrtki i poduzetnika dovesti do suradnje između država, kompanija i poduzetnika do razine koja nije samo prijateljstvo nego i partnerstvo", istaknuo je Željko Serdar, predsjednik Hrvatskog Centra Obnovljivih Izvora Energije.

 Studentska udruga za promicanje energetske učinkovitosti i savjetovanje – SUPEUS

Studentska udruga za promicanje energetske učinkovitosti i savjetovanje - SUPEUS je neprofitna udruga osnovana 2011. godine čiji su glavni ciljevi promicanje energetske učinkovitosti, održive gradnje i upotrebe obnovljivih izvora energije. Kao takva sadržajno je jedinstvena na razini studentskih udruga u Republici Hrvatskoj. Svi projekti Udruge tematski su usmjereni k podizanju svijesti među studentima, ali i šire, o nužnosti korištenja obnovljivih izvora energije, održivih rješenja u gradnji te važnosti energetske učinkovitosti. Najznačajniji takvi projekti su SUPEUS Case Study održani 2011., 2012. i 2013. godine, zatim izdavanje časopisa SUMA, te seminari za studente 'Budućnost ugodnog stanovanja – BUS' održani 2012. i 2013. godine.

Ove godine, treći put za redom, Udruga organizira seminar Budućnost ugodnog stanovanja - BUS.

Budućnost ugodnog stanovanja cjelodnevni je besplatni seminar namjenjen studentima, a pokriva područja obnovljivih izvora energije, energetske učinkovitosti i održive gradnje.
Ideja je studentima omogućiti prisustvovanje seminaru na kojem će predavati profesori, renomirani stručnjaci i predstavnici tvrtki, te prezentirati najvažnije i najaktualnije teme iz svijeta energetske učinkovitosti, obnovljivih izvora energije i održivosti.
Održan 2011. i 2012., seminar je polučio veliki uspjeh sa ukupno više od 450 studenata i 27 predavača, a projekt su vrijedim prepoznale i mnoge tvrtke i medijski pratitelji.

 

BUS 2014 održati će se u subotu, 29. ožujka na Fakultetu elektrotehnike i računarstva s glavnom temom „Integracija obnovljivih izvora energije“.

Tijekom cjelodnevnih predavanja, studenti će imati priliku detaljno se upoznati s mogućnostima, inicijativama, strategijama, ali i poteškoćama pri široj primjeni obnovljivih izvora energije, naučiti o tehničkim konceptima i aspektima obnovljivih izvora energije te vidjeti primjere uspješnih projekata integracije obnovljivih izvora energije.

Osim edukativnog karaktera, svrha seminara „Budućnost ugodnog stanovanja“ je također povezivanje studenata i tvrtki, koje će imati priliku predstaviti svoje djelovanje ili proizvode kroz predavanja ili izložbeni prostor ispred predavaonice.

Planirana agenda:

29.03.2014. god., 09:30 – 16:30 sati Fakultet elektrotehnike i računarstva Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, dvorana D2
Uvod	15 min
Mogućnosti, inicijative, strategije i problemi šire primjene obnovljivih izvora energije	60 min
Tehnički koncept i aspekti obnovljivih izvora energije	130 min
Primjeri uspješnih projekata integracije obnovljivih izvora energije	60 min

Da su ovakvi događaji potrebni studentima pokazuje posjećenost i rezultati ankete o korisnosti i zanimljivost predavanja, te cijelog seminara. Oni ukazuju na potporu za buduću organizaciju ovog i sličnih projekata, kao i na želju za ponovnim sudjelovanjem na istima. Sukladno tome, SUPEUS i ove akademske godine očekuje velik odaziv i zadovoljstvo studenata.

Više o samom seminaru, načinu sudjelovanja i prijavama, te i o Udruzi SUPEUS saznajte na njihovim web i face stranicama.

Velika nam je čast i zadovoljstvo bilo predstaviti Vam jednu od mnogobrojnih akcija Studentske udruge za promicanje energetske učinkovitosti i savjetovanje – SUPEUS.

Sigurnost i pouzdanost, iskustvo i poslovna strategija u osmišljavanju i realizaciji projekata glavne su prednosti Studentske udruge za promicanje energetske učinkovitosti i savjetovanje – SUPEUS .

 

Hrvatski Centar Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE)

Koncesije za istraživanje Jadrana

Znamo da je ministar u euforiji ali postoji i druga strana medalje koja bi imala katastrofalne posljedice po okoliš i ekonomiju cijele Hrvatske. Što se tiče milijardi i silnom bogatstvu koje spominje, ne vidimo ih u rukama naroda Afrike, Brazila, Indije gdje su u priobalju na tisuće korporativnih polja i bušotina. 

Cjelokupni postupak istraživanja i eksploatacije nafte započeo je donošenjem Odluke o izmjenama i dopunama Strategije prostornog uređenja RH, donešene prošle godine u lipnju. Njome je predviđeno da se na području Jadrana istraži i eventualno eksploatira 29 polja. Na temelju te Strategije donesen je Zakon o ugljikovodicima, te potpisan postupak kako će se prići eksploataciji i istraživanju nafte i plina u Jadranu. Sporna stvar od starta je da se svaka Strategija i svaki prostorni plan u RH, a posebno Strategije i planovi koji se provode na ekološkim područjima i pod Naturom 2000, zahtjevaju Strategiju procjene utjecaja na okoliš. Očekivali smo da će Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i Vlada RH prije nego što se Vlada upusti u javno nadmetanje, provesti postupak i izraditi stratešku procjenu utjecaja na okoliš, pitati građane što o tome misle, turističke djelatnike, ribare. Međutim, kao i do sada sa svime se brza hitnim Vladinim i Saborskim procedurama, kao da Hrvatske za 5-10 godina neće ni biti, pa sada što se sada uzme-uzme. 

HVALA

 Hrvatski Centar Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE)

Vodiči za poduzetnike

 

 U organizaciji Hrvatskog Centra Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE) nastavljeno je predstavljanje hrvatskih visokotehnoloških tvrtki, udruga i poduzetnika na europskim i svjetskim portalima kojima je zajednički predznak energetika, obnovljivi izvori energije i očuvanje okoliša.

 „Želim naglasiti da će hrvatske tvrtke, udruge i poduzetnici ovdje biti promovirane ne samo da bi prodavali svoje proizvode nego i da bi svoje znanje razvoja informacijskih i energetskih tehnologija podijelile s sličnim svjetskim tvrtkama, poduzetnicima iz razvijenih nacija kojima se Republika Hrvatska prilagođava i politički i gospodarski. Nadam se da će naše prezentacije hrvatskih tvrtki i poduzetnika dovesti do suradnje između država, kompanija i poduzetnika do razine koja nije samo prijateljstvo nego i partnerstvo", istaknuo je Željko Serdar, predsjednik Hrvatskog Centra Obnovljivih Izvora Energije.

Uz pripremljene poduzetničke vodiče lako ćete saznati koji su koraci potrebni za otvaranje poduzeća, sudjelovanje na natječajima ili dobivanje patenta.

Bespovratna sredstva iz državnog proračuna dodjeljuju gotovo sva ministarstva kao i Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost, a tu je i više vrsta državnih potpora

Sredstva poreznih obveznika koja se slijevaju u državni proračun vraćaju se u gospodarstvo putem javnih poziva i natječaja za dodjelu bespovratnih sredstava (potpora, darovnica, dotacija...).

Bespovratna potpora oblik je pomoći države ili nekog drugog javnog tijela određenom poduzetniku ili sektoru. Postoje dvije vrste bespovratnih potpora – državne potpore i potpore male vrijednosti.

Sukladno Zakonu o državnim potporama (NN 140/05) državnu potporu dodjeljuju tijela državne uprave i jedinice regionalne i lokalne samouprave pravnim i fizičkim osobama koje, obavljajući gospodarsku djelatnost u određenom sektoru, sudjeluju u prometu roba i usluga, s mogućim učinkom narušavanja tržišnog natjecanja.

Potpore male vrijednosti poduzetnicima dodjeljuju tijela državne uprave i jedinice regionalne i lokalne samouprave s karakteristikom da nemaju učinak narušavanja tržišnog natjecanja.

Sukladno Odluci o objavljivanju pravila o potporama male vrijednosti (NN 45/07) ukupan iznos potpore male vrijednosti dodijeljene istom poduzetniku ne smije premašiti gornju granicu od 200.000,00 eura tijekom razdoblja od tri fiskalne godine.

Osim Ministarstva poduzetništva i obrta, značajnija sredstva dodjeljuju Ministarstvo gospodarstva, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, Ministarstvo turizma, Ministarstvo rada i mirovinskog sustava, Ministarstvo socijalne politike i mladih, te institucije poput Fonda za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost.

                                      MINISTARSTVO PODUZETNIŠTVA I OBRTA

Ministarstvo poduzetništva i obrta temeljem Programa poticanja malog i srednjeg poduzetništva PODUZETNIČKI IMPULS 2013 financijski potpomaže malo i srednje poduzetništvo dodjelom bespovratnih potpora.


HAMAG INVEST
Hrvatsku agenciju za malo gospodarstvo i investicije osnovala je Republika Hrvatska Zakonom o poticanju razvoja malog gospodarstva (NN 29/02, 63/07, 53/12). Djelatnosti HAMAG INVESTA u nadležnosti su Ministarstva poduzetništva i obrta. Agencija dodjeljuje potpore malom i srednjem poduzetništvu temeljem Poduzetničkog impulsa 2013., ali i kroz jamstvene programe te mikrokreditiranje.

Na mrežnim stranicama HAMAG INVESTa možete pronaći listu aktualnih natječaja:
1. na NACIONALNOJ tj. DRŽAVNOJ razini - za pregled tablice kliknite ovdje
2. na LOKALNOJ i REGIONALNOJ razini - za pregled tablice kliknite ovdje.


MINISTARSTVO GOSPODARSTVA
Ministarstvo gospodarstva obavlja upravne i druge poslove koji se odnose na: razvoj i unaprjeđenje konkurentnosti hrvatskog gospodarstva, instrumente i mjere gospodarske politike, industrijsku politiku i politiku primjene inovacija i novih tehnologija, upravljanje jamstvenim fondom za unaprjeđenje industrije, poslove vezane uz primjenu i korištenje prava intelektualnog i industrijskog vlasništva i poticanje stvaralaštva u industriji i trgovini u cilju razvoja konkurentnosti hrvatskoga gospodarstva, energetsku politiku Republike Hrvatske, rudarstvo, strategiju olakšavanja i poticanja ulaganja i izvoza.


HRVATSKI ZAVOD ZA ZAPOŠLJAVANJE
Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje provodi niz mjera aktivne politike zapošljavanja.


POSLOVNO-INOVACIJSKA AGENCIJA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE (BICRO)
Poslovno-inovacijska agencija Republike Hrvatske provodi programe kojima se potiču inovativni tehnologijski poduzetnički projekti, ali i primijenjena istraživanja u području tehnologije te istraživačke projekte koji po završetku istraživačke faze teže daljnjoj komercijalizaciji.


MINISTARSTVO TURIZMA
Ministarstvo turizma sufinancira projekte vezane uz unaprjeđenje turističkih sadržaja, organiziranje manifestacija i slično.


MINISTARSTVO KULTURE
Ministarstvo kulture sufinancira projekte održavanja i promicanja hrvatske kulturne baštine te razvoja kulturnog stvaralaštva.


FOND ZA ZAŠTITU OKOLIŠA I ENERGETSKU UČINKOVITOST
Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost financijski potiče projekte energetske učinkovitosti i korištenja obnovljivih izvora energije.


MINISTARSTVO REGIONALOG RAZVOJA I FONDOVA EUROPSKE UNIJE​​​​​​
Ministarstvo regionalnog razvoja i fondova Europske unije sufinancira projekte vezane uz regionalni razvoj te nudi informacije o mogućnostima dobivanja sredstava iz EU fondova.


MINISTARSTVO POLJOPRIVREDE
Ministarstvo poljoprivrede potiče hrvatske poljoprivrednike putem brojnih instrumenata dodjele bespovratnih sredstava.


AGENCIJA ZA PLAĆANJA U POLJOPRIVREDI, RIBARSTVU I RURALNOM RAZVOJU
Agencija za plaćanja u poljoprivredi, ribarstvu i ruralnom razvoju provodi mjere nacionalnih potpora i pretpristupnih programa za poljoprivredu i ruralni razvoj, a ulaskom u Europsku uniju provodi i mjere Zajedničke poljoprivredne politike Europske unije.


MINISTARSTVO BRANITELJA
Ministarstvo branitelja potiče zapošljavanje i samozapošljavanje hrvatskih branitelja i djece poginulih, zatočenih ili nestalih hrvatskih branitelja te podupire rad braniteljskih zadruga.

Željko Serdar

Hrvatski Centar Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE)