Effects of Astaxanthin and Docosahexaenoic-Acid-Acylated Astaxanthin on Alzheimer’s Disease in APP/PS1 Double-Transgenic Mice

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with the characteristics of senile plaques, neuroinflammation, neurofibrillary tangles, and destruction of synapse structure stability. Previous studies have verified the protective effects of astaxanthin (AST). However, whether synthesized docosahexaenoic-acid-acylated AST diesters (AST-DHA) could delay AD pathogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, APP/PSEN1 (APP/PS1) double-transgenic mice were administrated with AST and AST-DHA for 2 months. The results of radial 8-arm maze and Morris water maze tests showed that AST-DHA exerted more significant effects than AST in enhancing learning and memory levels of APP/PS1 mice. Further mechanical studies suggested that AST-DHA was superior to AST in regulating the parameters of oxidative stress, reducing tau hyperphosphorylation, suppressing neuroinflammation, and regulating inflammasome expression and activation in APP/PS1 mice. The findings suggested that AST-DHA attenuated cognitive disorders by reducing pathological features in APP/PS1 mice, suggesting that AST-DHA might be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

Astaxanthin and its Effects in Inflammatory Responses and Inflammation-Associated Diseases: Recent Advances and Future Directions

“…In Wistar rats with Alzheimer's disease, astaxanthin powder from shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) shells showed a significant alleviation of cognitive functions (Table 1) [48]. In APP/PSEN1 (APP/PS1) double-transgenic mice, the administration of synthesized docosahexaenoic-acid-acylated astaxanthin diesters (AST-DHA) attenuated cognitive disorders by regulating the parameters of oxidative stress and suppressing neuroinflammation (Table 1) [49].…”

Inhibitory Effect of Astaxanthin on Oxidative Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction-A Mini-Review

“…Recent studies show that astaxanthin has a preventive effect of oxidative stress-induced degenerative pathological conditions. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, astaxanthin in the form of an ester with docosahexaenoic acid, reduces oxidative stress and inflammasome activation [ 33 ]. Astaxanthin decreases the oxidative stress level, as indicated by lowered plasma malondialdehyde levels, and reverses age-related changes in residual skin surface components of middle-aged subjects [ 34 ].…”

<p>The Role of the Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenger Agent, Astaxanthin, in the Protection of Cisplatin-Treated Patients Against Hearing Loss</p>

“…84 Synthesized docosahexaenoic acid-acrylated astaxanthin diesters can relieve oxidative stress and inflammasome activation in patients with AD. 85 Astaxanthin inhibits the generation of intracellular ROS and protects against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity in a cellular model of PD, protecting SH-SY5Y cells and substantia nigra neurons from apoptosis in a PD model mouse. 80,86 H 2 O 2 -stimulated mouse neural progenitor cells pre-treated with astaxanthin show suppression of apoptosis, resulting in cell proliferation.…”