Plasma appearance and distribution of astaxanthin E/Z and R/S isomers in plasma lipoproteins of men after single dose administration of astaxanthin

Abstract

Appearance, pharmacokinetics, and distribution of astaxanthin E/Z and R/S isomers in plasma and lipoprotein fractions were studied in 3 middle-aged male volunteers (37–43 years) after ingestion of a single meal containing a 100 mg dose of astaxanthin. The astaxanthin source consisted of 74% all- E-, 9% 9 Z-, 17% 13 Z-astaxanthin (3 R,3′ R-, 3 R,3′ S; meso-, and 3 S,3′ S-astaxanthin in a 1:2:1 ratio). The plasma astaxanthin concentration-–time curves were measured during 72 hr. Maximum levels of astaxanthin (1.3 ± 0.1 mg/L) were reached 6.7 ± 1.2 hr after administration, and the plasma astaxanthin elimination half-life was 21 ± 11 hr. 13 Z-Astaxanthin accumulated selectively, whereas the 3 and 3′ R/S astaxanthin distribution was similar to that of the experimental meal. Astaxanthin was present mainly in very low-density lipoproteins containing chylomicrons (VLDL/CM; 36–64% of total astaxanthin), whereas low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) contained 29% and 24% of total astaxanthin, respectively. The astaxanthin isomer distribution in plasma, VLDL/CM, LDL, and HDL was not affected by time. The results indicate that a selective process increases the relative proportion of astaxanthin Z-isomers compared to the all- E-astaxanthin during blood uptake and that astaxanthin E/Z isomers have similar pharmacokinetics.