Effect of astaxanthin on the hepatotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes in the liver of CCl4-treated rats

Astaxanthin is one of many carotenoids present in marine animals, vegetable s and fruits. Since carotenoids are known to have antioxidant properties, w e tested to determine if astaxanthin could have protective effects in the C Cl4-treated rat liver by activating the antioxidant system. Astaxanthin blo cked the increase of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate -pyruvate transaminase (GTP) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive subs tances (TBARS) in response to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), while causing an increase in glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activi ties in the CCl4-treated rat liver. These results suggest that astaxanthin protects liver damage induced by CCl4 by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and stimulating the cellular antioxidant system. (C) 2001 Prous Science. All ri ghts reserved.