Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Blood Rheology

Abstract

Summary Effects of astaxanthin (AX) derived from H. pluvialis on human blood rheology were investigated in 20 adult men with a single-blind method. The experimental group was 57.5 ± 9.8 years of age and the placebo group was 50.8 ± 13.1 years of age. A blood rheology test that measures whole blood transit time was conducted using heparinized blood of the volunteers by a MC-FAN apparatus (microchannel array flow analyzer). After administration of AX 6 mg/day for 10 days, the values of the experimental group were decreased from 52.8 ± 4.9 s to 47.6 ± 4.2 s (p<0.01) and a comparison of the values between the experimental (47.6 ± 4.2 s) and the placebo (54.2 ± 6.7 s) groups showed a significant difference (p<0.05). There were no adverse effects resulting from the administration of AX 6 mg/day for 10 days. Informed consent was obtained from each subject.

Astaxanthin increases choroidal blood flow velocity

“…A microchannel array flow analyzer apparatus has shown, in vivo, that there is improvement of the blood rheology after ingestion of AXT 6 mg/day for 10 days in normal human subjects [8]. Moreover, Hussein G et al reported a modulatory effect on nitric oxide (NO)-induced vasorelaxation by the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (P<0.05) and hemorheological effect by decreasing the microchannel transit time of whole blood in spontaneously hypertensive rats with 7-9 weeks AXT administration [9].…”

“…Additionally, it has been reported that AXT ingestion has the effect of improving the microcirculation [8,9]. A microchannel array flow analyzer apparatus has shown, in vivo, that there is improvement of the blood rheology after ingestion of AXT 6 mg/day for 10 days in normal human subjects [8].…”

Potential health‐promoting effects of astaxanthin: A high‐value carotenoid mostly from microalgae

“…In addition, Miyawaki et al [80] studied healthy adult male volunteers with a blood transit time of 45-70 s to evaluate the effect on blood rheology from continuous ingestion of astaxanthin 6 mg/day for a 10-day period, and showed a shortening of blood transit time from 52.874.9 to 47.674.2 s, indicating an improvement of human blood rheology by astaxanthin.…”

Putative benefits of microalgal astaxanthin on exercise and human health

“…Ikeuchi et al (2006) showed that the increase in plasma creatine kinase activity (a biomarker of muscle injury) was inhibited by treatment with ASTA, in parallel with the observed delay in muscle fatigue and endurance enhancement. Furthermore, a whole blood transit time evaluation performed in humans after administration of 6 mg ASTA/daily for ten days showed a significant decrease of 10% in the rheological properties of blood with putative implications of a lower risk of thrombosis and atherosclerotic plaque formation (Miyawaki et al, 2008). Two decades ago, elegant immunological studies carried out by Jyonouchi et al (1991) showed that ASTA enhances in vitro antibody production by mouse spleen cells when stimulated by sheep erythrocytes.…”