Astaxanthin ameliorates lung fibrosis in vivo and in vitro by preventing transdifferentiation, inhibiting proliferation, and promoting apoptosis of activated cells.

Abstract

Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is the only known ketocarotenoid transported into the brain by transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier. However, whether astaxanthin has antifibrotic functions is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of astaxanthin on transforming growth factor β1-mediated and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that astaxanthin significantly improved the structure of the alveoli and alleviated collagen deposition in vivo. Compared with the control group, the astaxanthin-treated groups exhibited downregulated protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, hydroxyproline, and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 as well as upregulated protein expressions of E-cadherin and p53 in vitro and in vivo. Astaxanthin also inhibited the proliferation of activated A549 and MRC-5 cells at median inhibitory concentrations of 40 and 30 μM, respectively. In conclusion, astaxanthin could relieve the symptoms and halt the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, partly by preventing transdifferentiation, inhibiting proliferation, and promoting apoptosis of activated cells.

• Authors: Meirong Wang, Jinjin Zhang, Xiaodong Song, Wenbo Liu, Lixia Zhang, Xiuwen Wang, Changjun Lv
• Journal: Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (Food Chem Toxicol) Vol. 56 Pg. 450-8 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1873-6351 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23500768 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• ACTA2 protein, human
• Actins
• Antigens, CD
• CDH1 protein, human
• Cadherins
• TP53 protein, human
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• Vimentin
• Xanthophylls
• Bleomycin
• astaxanthine
• Collagen
• Hydroxyproline

Topics

• Actins (genetics, metabolism)
• Antigens, CD
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Bleomycin (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Blood-Brain Barrier (drug effects, metabolism)
• Cadherins (genetics, metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Transdifferentiation (drug effects)
• Collagen (metabolism)
• Down-Regulation
• Humans
• Hydroxyproline (genetics, metabolism)
• Lung (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
• Pulmonary Alveoli (drug effects, metabolism)
• Pulmonary Fibrosis (prevention & control)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (genetics, metabolism)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (genetics, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation
• Vimentin (genetics, metabolism)
• Xanthophylls (pharmacology)