Protective Effects ofHaematococcusAstaxanthin on Oxidative Stress in Healthy Smokers

Abstract

Free radicals induced by cigarette smoking have been strongly linked to increased oxidative stress in vivo, contributing to the pathobiology of various diseases. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Haematococcus astaxanthin (ASX), which has been known to be a potent antioxidant, on oxidative stress in smokers. Thirty-nine heavy smokers (≥20 cigarettes/day) and 39 non-smokers were enrolled in this study. Smokers were randomly divided into three dosage groups to receive ASX at doses of 5, 20, or 40 mg (n=13, each) once daily for 3 weeks. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde, isoprostane, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity, and ASX levels in plasma were measured at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of treatment. Compared with baseline, the plasma malondialdehyde and isoprostane levels decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase level and total antioxidant capacity increased in all ASX intervention groups over the 3-week period. In particular, isoprostane levels showed a significant dose-dependent decrease after ASX intake. The results suggest that ASX supplementation might prevent oxidative damage in smokers by suppressing lipid peroxidation and stimulating the activity of the antioxidant system in smokers.

Astaxanthin as feed supplement in aquatic animals

“…; Kim et al . ). Based on a study conducted on 33 healthy volunteers, Aquasearch Inc. () disclosed no toxicity or ill effects attributable to the daily ingestion of either 3.85 mg (low dose) or 19.25 mg (high dose) of algal astaxanthin derived from H. pluvialis for 29 consecutive days as analysed by clinical and medical parameters.…”

Dietary Intake of Carotenoids and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Cardiovascular Care

“…In smoker subjects the Haematococcus astaxanthin supplementation had reduced levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, and for some of these the decreasing was dose-dependent, showing the role of this nutrient in preventing oxidative damage induced by cigarette smoking [38]. Regarding the antioxidant power and the free radical scavenger activity, the astaxanthin can be considered more effective than β -carotene and lycopene [39].…”

Effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth, antioxidant capacity and gene expression in Pacific white shrimpLitopenaeus vannamei

“…Astaxanthin has attracted a great deal of attention due to its multiple functions and antioxidant potential, which have been reported to surpass those of β‐carotene or lutein, even α‐tocopherol (Naguib ; Kim et al . ). Some studies demonstrated that dietary astaxanthin could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAS) and improve growth performance of black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Thongrod et al .…”