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Study Title:

Astaxanthin Redcues Lymphocytes Stress from High Fat

Study Abstract

Fatty acids (FA) have been shown to alter leukocyte function, and depending on concentration and type, they can modulate both inflammatory and immune responses. Astaxanthin (ASTA) is a carotenoid that shows notable antioxidant properties. In the present study we propose to evaluate the oxidative stress in human lymphocytes induced by a FA mixture and the possible protective role of ASTA. The present study showed that the FA mixture at 0.3mM caused a marked increase in the production of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, which was accompanied by an increase in total-SOD activity, in TBARS levels and a reduction of catalase activity and content of GSH and free thiol groups. The FA mixture also promoted an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and in the proliferative capacity of B-lymphocytes. The addition of ASTA (2 μM) partially decreased the ROS production and TBARS levels and increased the levels of free thiol groups. ASTA decreased the proliferative capacity of cells treated with FA but not by reducing intracellular calcium concentration. Based on these results we can conclude that ASTA can partially prevent oxidative stress in human lymphocytes induced by a fatty acid mixture, probably by blenching/quenching free radical production.

Study Information

Campoio TR, Oliveira FA, Otton R
Oxidative stress in human lymphocytes treated with fatty acid mixture: role of carotenoid astaxanthin.
Toxicol In Vitro
2011 October
Postgraduate Program - Health Sciences - CBS, Cruzeiro do Sul University, 03342000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil