Astaxanthin protects ARPE-19 cells against oxidative stress injury induced by hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of action of astaxanthin (AST) on the oxidative stress injury of adult retinal pigment epithelium-19 (ARPE-19) cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ARPE-19 cells were divided into five groups, including control group, H2O2 model group, AST1 group, AST2 group and AST3 group. MTT was used to determine cell viability. Cell morphology was visualized under an inverted fluorescence microscope. TUNEL assay and flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis. To examine the levels of ROS, SOD and MDA, we used DCFH-DA, WST-1 and TBA assays. The optimal concentration of AST for increasing cell viability was 40 µg/L. Pretreatment with AST alleviated damages in cell morphology induced by H2O2. Pretreatment with AST had the best protective effect on ARPE-19 cells from oxidative stress injury induced by H2O2. AST treatment had protective effect on ARPE-19 cells against apoptosis. Treatment with AST reduced the apoptotic rate of ARPE-19 cells induced by H2O2. Treatment with AST altered the levels of ROS, SOD and MDA in ARPE-19 cells induced by H2O2. The present study demonstrates that AST protects ARPE-19 cells against oxidative stress injury, probably by inhibiting the production of ROS, elevating the activity of SOD and reducing the content of MDA. Of note, preventive delivery of AST (40 µg/L) has the best effect. The present study also provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.