Effects of astaxanthin on VEGF level and antioxidation in human aqueous humor: difference by sex

We tested oral French maritime pine bark (40 mg)/bilberry fruit extract (90 mg) supplements for intraocular pressure-lowering effects in Japanese subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma. Eighteen subjects (29 eyes) were recruited with intraocular pressure of ≥15 mmHg who used one to three bottles of antiglaucoma medications. After a 2-week observation (period 1), subjects ingested a tablet/day of Sante ® Glagenox for 4 weeks (period 2). The mean intraocular pressure (17.2 ± 2.3 mmHg) decreased significantly to 15.7 ± 1.9 mmHg (8.7% reduction) at week 4 ( p = 0.0046). The mean morning intraocular pressure (14.1 ± 3.1 mmHg) self-measured using the iCare HOME tonometer during period 1 decreased significantly to 13.3 ± 2.9 mmHg (5.7% reduction) during period 2 ( p = 0.0291). Blood redox parameters, diacron reactive oxygen metabolites, biologic antioxidant potential, and sulfhydryl tests were unchanged after 4-week supplementation. Intra-subject comparisons, compared to period 1, showed pooled, self-measured, period-2 intraocular pressures was significantly lower in nine subjects (50%), unchanged in six subjects (33%), and elevated in three subjects (17%), suggesting some non-responders. Four-week supplementation with French maritime pine bark/bilberry fruit extracts can further reduce intraocular pressure even in Japanese patients with controlled primary open-angle glaucoma. Further study should confirm the intraocular pressure-lowering effects and mechanisms of this supplement in glaucoma management. The study was registered in UMIN (ID: UMIN000033200).

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of French maritime pine bark/bilberry fruit extracts on intraocular pressure for primary open-angle glaucoma

Manabe

Kaidzu

Tsutsui

et al. 2021

“…( 41 ) However, prior research in Japanese elderly subjects reported intersex differences in the antioxidant property of astaxanthin in the eyes. ( 42 ) Estrogen, one of the female sex hormones, is known to have antioxidative effects, and oxidation reactions are prone to advance in postmenopausal women. ( 42 ) Indeed, according to that study, ROS scavenging activity of the aqueous humor, one of the watery fluids present in the eyes, was significantly improved only in women after the intake of astaxanthin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…( 42 ) Estrogen, one of the female sex hormones, is known to have antioxidative effects, and oxidation reactions are prone to advance in postmenopausal women. ( 42 ) Indeed, according to that study, ROS scavenging activity of the aqueous humor, one of the watery fluids present in the eyes, was significantly improved only in women after the intake of astaxanthin. ( 42 ) In future studies, inclusion criteria different from that of this study may enable the evaluation of the effects of the test food on the other eye functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of anthocyanin, astaxanthin, and lutein on eye functions: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Kizawa¹,

Sekikawa²,

Kageyama

et al. 2021

We examined the effects of a test food containing anthocyanin, astaxanthin, and lutein on the eye function in healthy Japanese adults with eye fatigue after operating visual display terminals. Forty-four subjects were randomly but equally assigned to the active or placebo group. Two active or placebo capsules were taken once daily for 6 weeks. Accommodative function, tear film break-up time, visual acuity, the value of Schirmer's test, macular pigment optical density level, muscle hardness, and a questionnaire were evaluated before and after a 6-week intervention. Each group included 20 subjects in the efficacy analysis. The active group showed a significant improvement in the percentage of pupillary response of an average of both eyes and dominant eye pre-and post-visual display terminal operation at 6 weeks compared with the placebo group. Moreover, the active group showed a significant improvement in the scores of "A sensation of trouble in focusing the eyes" and "Difficulty in seeing objects in one's hand and nearby, or fine print" compared with the placebo group between before and after ingestion. Therefore, 6-weeks consumption of the test food inhibited a decrease in the accommodative function caused by visual display terminal operation (UMIN000036989).

“…We previously reported several findings, (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) including a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of AX after cataract surgery. (6) AX intake also increased superoxide (O 2…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…•scavenging activity in females. (12) We reevaluated various reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related parameters and other factors using multiple linear regression analyses, which suggested that the antioxidative effect of AX in the aqueous humor may be strongly related to age. In the current study, we therefore analyzed the antioxidative effect of AX in relation to patient age.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of aging on the antioxidative activity of astaxanthin in human aqueous humor

Hashimoto

Arai

Takahashi

et al. 2021

Self Cite

We previously evaluated the antioxidative effects of astaxanthin intake in the aqueous humor by measuring reactive oxygen species related parameters, including O 2•scavenging activity, H 2 O 2 level, and total hydroperoxides level. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidative effects of astaxanthin in relation to age in 16 males and 19 females (average age 71.3 and 70.6, respectively) who underwent bilateral cataract surgery on one side before and the other side after astaxanthin intake (6 mg/day for 2 weeks). None of the parameters correlated with age before astaxanthin intake, but only total hydroperoxides level was significantly correlated after the astaxanthin intake (r = 0.4, p<0.05). Total hydroperoxides levels were similar in younger and older patients (<70 vs ≥70 years) before astaxanthin, but decreased significantly more in younger patients (-0.21 ± 0.18 vs -0.05 ± 0.31, p<0.05) after the intake, resulting in significantly different levels (p<0.05). The previously observed decrease in mean total hydroperoxides levels following astaxanthin intake was therefore considered likely to be attributable to a greater response in younger subjects. Given that total hydroperoxides levels reflect general antioxidative status, astaxanthin intake may exert a greater antioxidative effect in younger patients. Further comparative studies involving younger subjects and different astaxanthin doses are needed.