Protective effects of astaxanthin on a combination of D-galactose and jet lag-induced aging model in mice

Oxidative stress caused free radical and mitochondrial damage plays a critical role in the progression of aging and age-related damage at the cellular and tissue levels. Antioxidant supplementation has received growing attention and the effects of antioxidant on aging are increasingly assessed in both animal and human studies. However, additional and more promising treatments that contribute to the expansion of anti-aging therapies are needed. Astaxanthin, a super antioxidant carotenoid and free radical scavenger, inhibits lipid peroxidation more potently than vitamin E. In the present study, we investigated the preventative effects of astaxanthin on aging using an accelerated aging model: mice chronically treated with a combination of D-galactose and jet lag. After 6 weeks of treatment, astaxanthin administration tended to protect the liver weight loss in aged mice. It is probably by upregulating the mRNA expression of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, which contribute to the enhancement of D-galactose metabolism. Astaxanthin supplementation also improved muscle endurance of aged mice in a swimming test. These results were associated with reduced oxidative stress in serum and increased anti-oxidative enzymes activities and mRNA expression in vivo. Moreover, astaxanthin reversed the dysregulation of aging-related gene expression caused by the combination of D-galactose and jet lag in the liver and kidney of mice. In conclusion, astaxanthin prevents liver weight loss, ameliorates locomotive muscular function, exerts significant anti-aging effects by reducing oxidative stress and improving the expression of age-related genes in D-galactose and jet lag-induced aging model.