MODULATION OF UVA LIGHT-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS BY BETA-CAROTENE, LUTEIN AND ASTAXANTHIN IN CULTURED FIBROBLASTS

The ability of beta-carotene, lutein or astaxanthin to protect against Uh-induced oxidative stress in rat kidney fibroblasts (NRK) was asses sed. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxi de dismutase (SOD), and changes in thiobarbituric acid reactive substa nces (TBARS) were measured as indices of oxidative stress. Exposure to UVA light at a dose intensity of 5.6 mW/cm(2) for 4 h resulted in a s ignificant decrease in CAT and SOD activities and a significant increa se in TEARS. No cytotoxicity, as indicated by lactate dehydrogenase (L DH) release, was observed, beta-Carotene (1 mu M), lutein (1 mu M) and astaxanthin (10 nM) protect against UVA light-induced oxidative stres s in vitro with astaxanthin exhibiting superior protective properties. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.