Abstract
Astaxanthin is a lipid-soluble carotenoid influencing lipid metabolism, body weight, and insulin sensitivity. We provide a systematic analysis of acute and chronic effects of astaxanthin on different organs. Changes by chronic astaxanthin feeding were analyzed on general metabolism, expression of regulatory proteins in the skeletal muscle, as well as changes of excitation and synaptic activity in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of mice. Acute responses were also tested on canine cardiac muscle and different neuronal populations of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in mice. Dietary astaxanthin significantly increased food intake. It also increased protein levels affecting glucose metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis in skeletal muscle. Inhibitory inputs innervating neurons of the arcuate nucleus regulating metabolism and food intake were strengthened by both acute and chronic astaxanthin treatment. Astaxanthin moderately shortened cardiac action potentials, depressed their plateau potential, and reduced the maximal rate of depolarization. Based on its complex actions on metabolism and food intake, our data support the previous findings that astaxanthin is suitable for supplementing the diet of patients with disturbances in energy homeostasis.
Highlights
Astaxanthin (AX) is a safe, lipid-soluble, bioavailable natural carotenoid compound present in several microorganisms and various aquatic and nonaquatic species including crustaceans, fish or the flamingo
Cumulative O2 usage was similar before and after the four weeks of special feeding both in control and AX group (Figure 1A); when these parameters were normalized to the actual body weight, a significant decrease was observed following the treatment in both groups (Figure 1B)
There was no significant difference between O2 usage of control and AX groups
Summary
Astaxanthin (AX) is a safe, lipid-soluble, bioavailable natural carotenoid compound present in several microorganisms and various aquatic and nonaquatic species including crustaceans, fish or the flamingo. AX is a potent nutraceutical widely used as a nutritional supplement with antioxidant and anticancer actions. AX reduces oxidative stress, increases the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and maintains the rheological properties of the blood [7]. It ameliorates skeletal muscle atrophy, and it exerts neuroprotective actions [8,9]. AX’s anti-inflammatory properties involve modulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing reverse cholesterol transport by HDL [10]
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