Lipid peroxidation astaxanthin

Astaxanthin has demonstrated strong antioxidant behavior in a variety of in vitro studies. In organic solutions, astaxanthin is a potent quencher of singlet oxygen, an effective inhibitor of peroxyl radical-dependent lipid peroxidation, and an efficient peroxyl... 

The antioxidant behavior of astaxanthin has been demonstrated in vivo as well. In Haematococcus algae, astaxanthin is accumulated as part of a stress response, and it is believed to protect cellular DNA from photodynamic damage. This carotenoid also protects lipids from peroxidation in trout and salmon. In chicks, astaxanthin supplementation suppressed the formation of lipid peroxides in the plasma. Significant biological antioxidant effects have been observed in vitamin E-deficient rats fed an astaxanthin-rich diet these include protection of mitochondrial function and inhibition of peroxidation of erythrocyte membranes. In two independent studies, lipid peroxidation in the seram and liver of astaxanthin-fed rats treated with carbon tetrachloride was... 

Nishigaki, I. et al. Suppressive effect of astaxanthin on lipid peroxidation induced in rats, J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr., 16,161,1994. 

Astaxanthin levels are generally high in copepods, very low in rotifers and not found in Anemia nauplii (Fig. 5.5). In Artemia, canthaxanthin is found in high amounts instead (van der Meeren et al, 2008). Both these carotenoids may serve as precursors for vitamin A in fish. According to Bell et al (2000), astaxanthin together with vitamin E work synergistically to suppress lipid peroxidation and are thus important in fish with high PUFA... 

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