Title:Favorable Effects of Astaxanthin on Brain Damage due to Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Esra Cakir*, Ufuk Cakir, Cuneyt Tayman, Tugba Taskin Turkmenoglu, Ataman Gonel and Isil O. Turan
Affiliation:
- Department of Anesthesiology and Clinical of Critical Care, Health Sciences University, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara,Turkey
Keywords:
Astaxanthin, brain ischemia, reperfusion injury, oxidative stress, neurologic deficits, antioxidant.
Abstract:
Background: Activated inflammation and oxidant stress during cerebral ischemia
reperfusion injury (IRI) lead to brain damage. Astaxanthin (ASX) is a type of carotenoid with a
strong antioxidant effect.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ASX on brain IRI.
Methods: A total of 42 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups as control
(n=14) group, IRI (n=14) group and IRI + ASX (n=14) group. Cerebral ischemia was instituted by
occluding middle cerebral artery for 120 minutes and subsequently, reperfusion was performed for
48 hours. Oxidant parameter levels and protein degradation products were evaluated.
Hippocampal and cortex cell apoptosis, neuronal cell count, neurological deficit score were
evaluated.
Results: In the IRI group, oxidant parameter levels and protein degradation products in the tissue
were increased compared to control group. However, these values were significantly decreased in
the IRI + ASX group (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in hippocampal and cortex cell
apoptosis and a significant increase in the number of neuronal cells in the IRI + ASX group
compared to the IRI group alone (p<0.05). The neurological deficit score which was significantly
lower in the IRI group compared to the control group was found to be significantly improved in
the IRI + ASX group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Astaxanthin protects the brain from oxidative damage and reduces neuronal deficits
due to IRI injury.