Latest research shows astaxanthin to be a powerful anti-aging agent

Astaxanthin was found to be a potent anti-aging agent, according to a mouse study published in the Endocrine Journal.

The study was carried out by a team of researchers from Zhejiang University of Technology in China and Asahikawa Medicine University in Japan who looked at the preventive effects of astaxanthin on aging with the use of an accelerated model. The research team treated mice with both D-galactose and jet lag for six weeks. They grouped the mice into three: Control group; a group treated with a combination of daily sterile D-galactose injection and jet lag; and a group supplemented with a diet containing 0.01 percent astaxanthin, in addition to the D-galactose injection and jet lag. The research team induced jet lag through a 12-hour reversal of the light/dark cycle once every three days.

After the treatment of six weeks, results revealed that astaxanthin supplementation protected liver weight loss in aged mice. The researchers explained that this may be due to the up-regulation of the mRNA expression of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, which plays a role in the improvement of D-galactose metabolism. In addition, the treatment enhanced muscle endurance of aged mice in a swimming test.

The team further explained that these outcomes were linked with reduced oxidative stress in serum and increased anti-oxidative enzymes activities and mRNA expression in vivo. Astaxanthin also reversed the dysregulation of aging-related gene expression caused by the combination of D-galactose and jet lag in the livers and kidneys of the mice.

“The beneficial effects of astaxanthin were attributable in part to decrease oxidative stress in the serum and peripheral tissues, as well as the improvement of dysregulation of ageing-related gene expression,” the research team wrote.

The research team concluded that the astaxanthin fights against liver weight loss, enhances locomotive muscular function, and provides significant anti-aging effects by decreasing oxidative stress and enhancing the expression of age-related genes in D-galactose and jet lag-induced aging model. (Related: Astaxanthin: The Little-Known Miracle Nutrient for Inflammation, Anti-Aging