Astaxanthin prevents in vitro auto-oxidative injury in human lymphocytes

Abstract

Upon mitogen sensitization, lymphocytes undergo proliferation by oxyradical-based mechanisms. Through continuous resting-restimulation cycles, lymphocytes accumulate auto-induced oxidative lesions which lead to cell dysfunction and limit their viability. Astaxanthin (ASTA) is a nutritional carotenoid that shows notable antioxidant properties. This study aims to evaluate whether the in vitro ASTA treatment can limit oxyradical production and auto-oxidative injury in human lymphocytes. Activated lymphocytes treated with 5 microM ASTA showed immediate lower rates of O(2)(*-) /H(2)O(2) production whilst NO* and intracellular Ca(2+) levels were concomitantly enhanced (<or=4 h). In long-term treatments (>24 h), the cytotoxicity test for ASTA showed a sigmoidal dose-response curve (LC50 = 11.67 +/- 0.42 microM), whereas higher activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in 5 microM ASTA-treated lymphocytes were associated to significant lower indexes of oxidative injury. On the other hand, lower proliferative scores of ASTA lymphocytes might be a result of diminished intracellular levels of pivotal redox signaling molecules, such as H(2)O(2). Further studies are necessary to establish the ASTA-dose compensation point between minimizing oxidative damages and allowing efficient redox-mediated immune functions, such as proliferation, adhesion, and oxidative burst.

Potential health‐promoting effects of astaxanthin: A high‐value carotenoid mostly from microalgae

“…Recently, Bolin et al [35] found that astaxanthin displayed interesting anti-inflammatory effects by preserving redoxsensitive and essential structures of human lymphocytes, which could be mainly deduced by the increased nitric oxide formation, the observed reduced O_ 2 À /H 2 O 2 production, and induced superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in parallel to lower indexes of oxidative injury in lipids and proteins. It was suggested that astaxanthin was potentially nutritional therapeutic agent for prevention/prophylaxy of immune-impaired diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, sepsis, and cardiovascular disorders [35].…”

“…It was suggested that astaxanthin was potentially nutritional therapeutic agent for prevention/prophylaxy of immune-impaired diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, sepsis, and cardiovascular disorders [35]. Macedo et al [36] showed that astaxanthin significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharidestimulated neutrophils.…”

Impact of the carotenoid astaxanthin on phagocytic capacity and ROS/RNS production of human neutrophils treated with free fatty acids and high glucose

“…ASTA may act as a strong antioxidant by donating the electrons and reacting with free radicals to convert them into a more stable product and terminate free radical chain reaction in a wide variety of living organisms [25,26]. In recent years, a major number of studies on ASTA have demonstrated its antioxidant effect, for example the quenching effect on singlet oxygen, a strong scavenging effect on superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals and an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation [27][28][29][30]. In addition, several other biologic activities of ASTA, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory activities and a neuroprotective effect also have been reported [25,31].…”

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract Promoting the Recovery of Memory Impairment in Alzheimer’s Rats: Anti-Inflammatory and Antiapoptotic Effects

“…Moreover, other studies reported that ASTA was able to protect the cells toward the mutagen carbon tetrachloride, and consequently, inhibit the hepatic damage through suppression the peroxidation of the lipids and enhancing the antioxidants production as well as regulating the process of the inflammation [52].…”