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Combined effect of astaxanthin and squalene on oxidative stress in vivo

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Abstract

Obesity and diabetes, risk factors for metabolic syndrome, are characterized by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Marine biofunctionals, astaxanthin (Ax) and squalene (SQ), were evaluated for their combined effect. Groups of male KK-A y mice were fed high fat/sucrose diet for 4 weeks, supplemented with either 0.1 %Ax, 2 %SQ or 0.1 %Ax + 2 %SQ. In comparison to control, Sod was elevated in only Ax + SQ. However, Gpx was highest in Ax + SQ, indicating the combined antioxidant effect of Ax and SQ. This was supported by elevated mRNA expression of Sod1 and Gpx1. Except adiponectin (elevated in Ax and Ax + SQ), expression of other inflammatory markers was not altered. Blood glucose levels were decreased in SQ and Ax + SQ while liver triglycerides decreased in SQ group. This is the first in vivo study demonstrating combined effects of Ax and SQ resulting in antioxidant effects and modulation of glucose/triglyceride levels. This study highlights the benefit of utilizing Ax and SQ together for management of obesity/diabetes.

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Abbreviations

Ax:

Astaxanthin

BAT:

Brown adipose tissue

Cat:

Catalase

Cox:

Cyclooxygenase

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DPPP:

Diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

ERK:

Extracellular-signal regulated kinase

Gpx:

Glutathione peroxidase

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

GSSG:

Oxidized glutathione

HDL-C:

High density cholesterol

iNOS:

Inducible nitric oxide synthase

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

MCP:

Monocyte chemoattractant protein

NF:

Nuclear factor

PPAR:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

Sod:

Superoxide dismutase

SQ:

Squalene

TG:

Triglycerides

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

WAT:

White adipose tissue

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by “Scientific technique research promotion program for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food industry” and partially supported by a National Project for the Formation of Tohoku Marine Science Center from MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science& Technology in Japan). SRK and BN are grateful to Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) for Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Invitation Fellowship, respectively.

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Author notes

  1. Sangeetha Ravi Kumar

    Present address: Laboratory of Lung Biology, Department of Pathobiological Sciences and Center for Experimental Infectious Disease Research, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1, Minato Cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, Japan

    Sangeetha Ravi Kumar, Bhaskar Narayan, Yuki Sawada, Masashi Hosokawa & Kazuo Miyashita

  2. Department of Meat and Marine Sciences, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, 570 020, India

    Bhaskar Narayan

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Correspondence to Sangeetha Ravi Kumar or Kazuo Miyashita.

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Ravi Kumar, S., Narayan, B., Sawada, Y. et al. Combined effect of astaxanthin and squalene on oxidative stress in vivo. Mol Cell Biochem 417, 57–65 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-016-2713-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-016-2713-2

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