Astaxanthin contributes to the maintenance of oxidative balance, thereby protecting cells from free radical-induced damage and premature aging.
The state of balance between free radical generation and the protection capacity of an endogenic antioxidant defense is called oxidative equilibrium. In this state, the body’s tissues and cells are maximally protected against toxic oxidative influences. When the oxidative balance is disturbed, the cellular components are not protected against oxidative radical effects because of the impaired relationship between the activity and the intracellular levels of endogenic antioxidants and prooxidants, which can result in toxic damage, disease, and premature aging.
The unique chemical structure of astaxanthin makes it a potent antioxidant. The mode of action of astaxanthin is grounded in its ability to keep oxidative equilibrium, neutralize radicals, and prevent damage.
Substation studies focused on astaxanthin and oxidative balance:
Roghaye Gharaei et al. (2022). “Randomized controlled trial of astaxanthin impacts on antioxidant status and assisted reproductive technology outcomes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.” J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Apr;39(4):995-1008.
“Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrinopathy in women, is typically accompanied by a defective oxidative defence system. Here, we investigated the effect of astaxanthin (AST) as a powerful antioxidant on the oxidative stress (OS) response and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in PCOS patients. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, PCOS 40 patients were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group received 8 mg AST, and the control group received the placebo daily for 40 days. The primary outcomes were the serum and follicular fluid (FF) levels of the OS biomarkers and the expression levels of the specific genes and proteins in the oxidative stress response pathway. The secondary outcomes were considered ART outcomes. Results: According to our findings, a 40-day course of AST supplementation led to significantly higher levels of serum CAT and TAC in the AST group compared to the placebo group. However, there were no significant intergroup differences in the serum MDA and SOD levels, as well as the FF levels of OS markers. The expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQ-1 was significantly increased in the granulosa cells (GCs) of the AST group. Moreover, the MII oocyte and high-quality embryo rate were significantly increased in the AST group compared to the placebo group. We found no significant intergroup difference in the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates. Conclusion: AST treatment has been shown to increase both serum TAC levels and activation of the Nrf2 axis in PCOS patients’ GCs”.
Mami Kaneko et al.(2017). “Protective Effect of Astaxanthin on Vocal Fold Injury and Inflammation Due to Vocal Loading: A Clinical Trial.” J Voice. 2017 May;31(3):352-358.
“Objectives: Professional voice users, such as singers and teachers, are at greater risk of developing vocal fold injury from excessive use of voice; thus, protection of the vocal fold is essential. One of the most important factors that aggravates injury is the production of reactive oxygen species at the wound site. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of astaxanthin, a strong antioxidant, on the protection of the vocal fold from injury and inflammation due to vocal loading. Study design: This study is an institutional review board-approved human clinical trial. Methods: Ten male subjects underwent a 60-minute vocal loading session and received vocal assessments prior to, immediately after, and 30 minutes postvocal loading (AST(-) status). All subjects were then prescribed 24 mg/day of astaxanthin for 28 days, after which they received the same vocal task and assessments (AST(+) status). Phonatory parameters were compared between both groups. Results: Aerodynamic assessment, acoustic analysis, and GRBAS scale (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain) were significantly worse in the AST(-) status immediately after vocal loading, but improved by 30 minutes after loading. In contrast, none of the phonatory parameters in the AST(+) status were statistically worse, even when measured immediately after vocal loading. No allergic responses or adverse effects were observed after administration of astaxanthin. Conclusions: The current results suggest that astaxanthin can protect the vocal fold from injury and inflammation caused by vocal loading possibly through the regulation of oxidative stress”.
Kim et al. (2011). “Protective effects of Haematococcus astaxanthin on oxidative stress in healthy smokers.” J Med Food 14(11): 1469-1475.
“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.”
Choi et al. (2011). “Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults.”Phytother Res 25(12): 1813-1818.
“Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the antioxidant and the reactive oxygen species, which results in damage to cells or tissues. Recent studies have reported that oxidative stress is involved in obesity, in addition to many other human diseases and aging. A prospective, randomized, doubleblind study was performed to investigate the effect of astaxanthin (ASX), which is known to be a potent antioxidant, on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults in Korea. Twenty-three adults with BMI > 25.0 kg/m(2) enrolled in this study and were randomly assigned to two dose groups: ASX 5 mg and 20 mg once daily for 3 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA), isoprostane (ISP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as oxidative stress biomarkers, were measured at baseline and 1, 2 and 3 weeks after ASX administration. Compared with baseline, the MDA (by 34.6% and 35.2%) and ISP (by 64.9% and 64.7%) levels were significantly lowered, whereas SOD (by 193% and 194%) and TAC (by 121% and 125%) levels were significantly increased in two dose groups after the 3 week intervention. This study revealed that supplemental ASX for 3 weeks improved oxidative stress biomarkers by suppressing lipid peroxidation and stimulating the activity of the antioxidant defense system.”
Park et al. (2010). “Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans.” Nutr Metab (Lond) 7: 18.
“BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin modulates immune response, inhibits cancer cell growth, reduces bacterial load and gastric inflammation, and protects against UVA-induced oxidative stress in in vitro and rodent models. Similar clinical studies in humans are unavailable. Our objective is to study the action of dietary astaxanthin in modulating immune response, oxidative status and inflammation in young healthy adult female human subjects. METHODS: Participants (averaged 21.5 yr) received 0, 2, or 8 mg astaxanthin (n = 14/diet) daily for 8 wk in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Immune response was assessed on wk 0, 4 and 8, and tuberculin test performed on wk 8. RESULTS: Plasma astaxanthin increased (P < 0.01) dose-dependently after 4 or 8 wk of supplementation. Astaxanthin decreased a DNA damage biomarker after 4 wk but did not affect lipid peroxidation. Plasma C-reactive protein concentration was lower (P < 0.05) on wk 8 in subjects given 2 mg astaxanthin. Dietary astaxanthin stimulated mitogeninduced lymphoproliferation, increased natural killer cell cytotoxic activity, and increased total T and B cell subpopulations, but did not influence populations of T-helper, T-cytotoxic or natural killer cells. A higher percentage of leukocytes expressed the LFA-1 marker in subjects given 2 mg astaxanthin on wk 8. Subjects fed 2 mg astaxanthin had a higher tuberculin response than unsupplemented subjects. There was no difference in TNF and IL-2 concentrations, but plasma IFN-gamma and IL-6 increased on wk 8 in subjects given 8 mg astaxanthin. CONCLUSION: Therefore, dietary astaxanthin decreases a DNA damage biomarker and acute phase protein, and enhances immune response in young healthy females.”
Leif Percival Andersen et al. (2007). “Gastric inflammatory markers and interleukins in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with astaxanthin.” FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2007 Jul;50(2):244-8.
“The chronic active inflammation caused by Helicobacter pylori is dominated by neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Several interleukins are involved in the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of astaxanthin on gastric inflammation in patients with functional dyspepsia. Forty-four consecutive patients were included, and biopsies were examined for IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-gamma, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD19, CD25 and CD30. Patients were randomized: 21 patients were treated with 40 mg of astaxanthin daily, and 23 patients were treated with a placebo. There was a significant decrease in gastric inflammation in H. pylori-positive patients from both groups. There were no significant changes in the density of H. pylori or in any of the interleukins during or after treatment. There was a significant up-regulation of CD4 and down-regulation of CD8 in patients with H. pylori treated with astaxanthin.”
Supporting studies on astaxanthin and oxidative balance:
The study focused on oxidative stress in athletes.
The study focused on lipid profiles in blood and oxidative stress.
The study focused on age-related vision degeneration and oxidative stress in the aqueous humor.
The study was open-label noncontrolled study in subjects with increased oxidative stress. Results show that dietary astaxanthin supplementation had multiple positive effects.
This was a pilot study on individuals with impaired salivary secretion and provided evidence that dietary astaxanthin reduced oxidative stress markers in saliva.
Algalif, Natural Astaxanthin: Human Clinical Studies Overview
