Abstract
Astaxanthin (Asta) has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and free radical-clearing activities. However, the poor stability and low water solubility of Asta hamper its bioavailability. The objectives of this study were to fabricate Asta-loaded liposomes (Asta-lipo) and investigate the therapeutic effects of Asta-lipo on alcoholic liver fibrosis in mice. The mice were administered with Asta-lipo or liposomes alone prior to a 3-week dose containing 30% alcohol with or without feeding with a second dose of 30% alcohol. The prepared Asta-lipo of 225.0 ± 58.3 nm in diameter, had an encapsulation efficiency of 98%. A slow release profile of 16.2% Asta from Asta-lipo was observed after a 24-h incubation. Restorative actions against alcoholic liver fibrosis were observed after oral administration of Asta-lipo for 4 weeks. Hepatic repair, followed by a second dose of 30% alcohol, suggested that Asta-lipo exerted protective and reparative effects against liver injuries induced by repeated consumption of alcohol. The changes of serum ALT and AST values were principally in consistence with the histopathologic findings. Asta-lipo exerted rapid and direct effects against repeated alcohol-induced liver disease, whereas Asta-lipo given orally could boost recovery from liver injuries obtained due to previous long-term alcohol use. These data demonstrate that Asta-lipo has applicable protective and therapeutic potential to treat alcohol-induced liver diseases.
Highlights
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a complex condition that includes a wide range of conditions from simple fatty liver to more severe liver injuries, such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma
The alcohol-induced fatty liver might recover after alcohol withdrawal; more severe liver injuries, such as liver inflammation and hepatitis or steatohepatitis, may persist even after alcohol withdrawal
Recovery from alcohol-induced liver injury after cessation of alcohol consumption is associated with disease severity [3]
Summary
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a complex condition that includes a wide range of conditions from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to more severe liver injuries, such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Excess alcohol consumption is the primary cause of global liver-related mortality [1]. Lesions associated with this condition may occur separately, simultaneously, or sequentially in patients. The alcohol-induced fatty liver might recover after alcohol withdrawal; more severe liver injuries, such as liver inflammation and hepatitis or steatohepatitis, may persist even after alcohol withdrawal. Recovery from alcohol-induced liver injury after cessation of alcohol consumption is associated with disease severity [3]
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