Abstract.[Purpose] The fiber type composition of the muscle hypothetically causes differences in the effects of astaxanthin on capillary regression in the superficial and deep layers of atrophied muscle. The effect of astaxanthin on capillary regression was studied in the superficial and deep layers of the plantaris muscle. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control, control treated with astaxanthin, hind limb unloading, and hind limb unloading treated with astaxanthin groups. The cross-sectional area and succinate dehydrogenase activity of the plantaris muscle fibers, capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio, and number of capillaries around the muscle fiber were measured using histological images. [Results] In the deep layer, succinate dehydrogenase was activated, and the number of capillaries was decreased in atrophied plantaris muscle. However, these changes were not found in the superficial layer.[Conclusion] Capillary regression in atrophied skeletal muscle was initiated in the deep layer, where muscle fiber characterized by high mitochondrial oxidative enzyme activity is predominantly located, and astaxanthin administration effectively prevent capillary regression.