title: Effects of astaxanthin on the production of NO and the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.
abstract: Astaxanthin has shown antioxidant, antitumor, and antiinflammatory activities; however, its molecular action and mechanism in the nervous system have yet to be elucidated. We examined the in vitro effects of astaxanthin on the production of nitric oxide (NO), as well as the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Astaxanthin inhibited the expression or formation of nitric oxide (NO), iNOS and COX-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Astaxanthin also suppressed the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results suggest that astaxanthin, probably due to its antioxidant activity, inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators by blocking iNOS and COX-2 activation or by the suppression of iNOS and COX-2 degradation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young-Sam
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong-Kug
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyo-Ihl
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D024341:Xanthophylls; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C005948:astaxanthine; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2