ROS production in neutrophils from alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated in vivo with astaxanthin.
BACKGROUND
Astaxanthin (ASTA) is a carotenoid which has powerful antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. The present study investigated the effect of daily ASTA intake on oxidative stress and the functional properties of neutrophils from alloxan-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Neutrophils isolated from ASTA-fed rats (30days, 20mg ASTA/kg of body weight - BW) induced to diabetes by alloxan treatment (i.p. 75mg/BW) were assessed by: production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, basal calcium release, oxidative damage (TBARS and carbonyls content), and activities of major antioxidant enzymes.


RESULTS
Our results show that diabetes promotes a significant oxidative stress in neutrophils. The production of superoxide was significantly increased in neutrophils from diabetic rats and treatment with ASTA was not effective in reducing superoxide levels. At the same time, a reduction in the activity of total superoxide dismutase enzyme was observed, which was not restored after treatment with ASTA. At resting conditions, neutrophils have a higher basal production of hydrogen peroxide, which is enhanced following PMA-stimulation. Treatment with ASTA does not restore values to the basal levels. The indicators of oxidative damage to biomolecules showed that diabetic rats significantly increased the lipid and protein damage, but this change was reversed after treatment with ASTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that diabetes condition promotes a marked oxidative stress in neutrophils and treatment with ASTA for 30days at a dose of 20mg/kg of BW partially reverses those deleterious effects.
Postgraduate Program, Human Movement Sciences Institute of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 01506-000.
Douglas Popp
DP
Marin
Anaysa Paola
AP
Bolin
Rita de Cássia Santos
Rde C
Macedo
Sandra Coccuzzo
SC
Sampaio
Rosemari
R
Otton
D000496:Alloxan; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D024341:Xanthophylls; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000496:Alloxan; C005948:astaxanthine