Astaxanthin Prevents Lung Injury Due to Hyperoxia and Inflammation

Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2021;24(8):1243-1250. doi: 10.2174/1386207323666200915092012.

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to ascertain the effects of astaxanthin on the lungs of rat pups with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by hyperoxia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Materials and methods: Forty-two newborn Wistar rats, born to spontaneous pregnant rats, were divided into three groups: Hyperoxia (95% O2) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, hyperoxia + LPS + astaxhantin group, and control: no treatment group (21% O2). Pups in the hyperoxia + LPS + astaxanthin group were given 100 mg/kg/day oral astaxanthin from the first day to the fifth day. Histopathologic and biochemical evaluations, including glutathione (GSH), total anti-oxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total thiol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and caspase-3 activities, were performed.

Results: Better survival rates and weight gain were demonstrated in the hyperoxia + LPS + astaxanthin group (p <0.001). In the histopathologic evaluation, the severity of lung damage was significantly reduced in the hyperoxia+LPS+astaxanthin group, as well as decreased apoptosis (ELİSA for caspase-3) (p <0.001). The biochemical analyses of lung tissues showed that TAS, GSH, and Total thiol levels were significantly higher in the astaxanthin treated group compared to the hyperoxia + LPS group (p <0.05) while TOS, AOPP, LPO, 8-OHdG, MPO levels were significantly lower (p <0.001). In addition, unlike the hyperoxia + LPS group, TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung tissue were significantly lower in the astaxanthin-treated group (p <0.001).

Conclusion: Astaxanthin was shown to reduce lung damage caused by inflammation and hyperoxia with its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic properties, and to protect the lung from severe destruction.

Keywords: Astaxanthin; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; preterm birth; rat; respiratory morbidity; supplemental oxygen.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Hyperoxia* / complications
  • Hyperoxia* / drug therapy
  • Hyperoxia* / metabolism
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Injury* / drug therapy
  • Lung Injury* / etiology
  • Lung Injury* / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Xanthophylls

Substances

  • Xanthophylls
  • astaxanthine