Molecules 2017, 22(11), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22112019
The Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on the OVA-Induced Asthma Mice Model
1
College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungangno, Suncheon 540-950, Korea
2
Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 11 Biopolis Way, No. 02-02 Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
3
Suncheon Research Center for Natural Medicines, Suncheon 540-950, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 31 October 2017 / Accepted: 17 November 2017 / Published: 21 November 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Antioxidants: Evidence of Protective Effects against Chronic Disease)
Abstract
Although astaxanthin has a variety of biological activities such as anti-oxidant effects, inhibitory effects on skin deterioration and anti-inflammatory effects, its effect on asthma has not been studied. In this paper, the inhibitory effect of astaxanthin on airway inflammation in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma was investigated. We evaluated the number of total cells, Th1/2 mediated inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness as well as histological structure. The level of total IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, OVA-specific IgG1, and OVA-specific IgG2a were also examined. The oral administration of 50 mg/mL astaxanthin inhibited the respiratory system resistance, elastance, newtonian resistance, tissue damping, and tissue elastance. Also, astaxanthin suppressed the total cell number, IL-4, and IL-5, and increased the IFN-γ in the BALF. In the sera, total IgE, IgG1, and OVA-specific IgG1 were reduced by astaxanthin exposure and IgG2a and OVA-specific IgG2a were enhanced via oral administration of astaxanthin. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung, production of mucus, lung fibrosis, and expression of caspase-1 or caspase-3 were suppressed in OVA-induced asthmatic animal treated with astaxanthin. These results suggest that astaxanthin may have therapeutic potential for treating asthma via inhibiting Th2-mediated cytokine and enhancing Th1-mediated cytokine. View Full-Text
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Hwang, Y.-H.; Hong, S.-G.; Mun, S.-K.; Kim, S.-J.; Lee, S.-J.; Kim, J.-J.; Kang, K.-Y.; Yee, S.-T. The Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on the OVA-Induced Asthma Mice Model. Molecules 2017, 22, 2019.
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