Effects of astaxanthin in animal models of obesity-associated diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radice, Rosa Paola; Limongi, Antonina Rita; Viviano, Emanuele; Padula, Maria Carmela; Martelli, Giuseppe; Bermano, Giovanna

Abstract

Background and aim: Obesity is a major risk factor for several diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The use of natural products, such as astaxanthin (ASX), a potent antioxidant compound produced by the freshwater green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, has gained particular interest to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and to improve redox status, often associated with obesity. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively examine the effects of ASX in animal models of diet induced obesity-associated diseases in order to inform the design of future human clinical studies for ASX use as supplement or nutraceutical. Methods: Cinahl, Cochraine, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for English-language manuscripts published between January 2000 and April 2020 using the following key words: astaxanthin, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, NAFLD and metabolic. Results: Seventeen eligible articles, corresponding to 21 animal studies, were included in the final quantitative analysis. ASX, at different concentrations and administered for different length of time, induced a significant reduction in adipose tissue weight (P=0.05) and systolic blood pressure (P[less than]0.0001) in control animals. In animal models of T2D, ASX significantly reduced serum glucose levels (P=0.04); whereas it improved several disease biomarkers in the blood (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST, P[less than]0.10), and reduced liver (P=0.0002) and body weight (P=0.11), in animal models of NAFLD. Conclusions: Supplementation of ASX in the diet has positive effects on symptoms associated with obesity related diseases in animals, by having lipid-lowering, hypo-insulin and hypoglycaemic capacity, protecting organs from oxidative stress and mitigating the immune system, as suggested in this review.

Citation

RADICE, R.P., LIMONGI, A.R., VIVIANO, E., PADULA, M.C., MARTELLI, G. and BERMANO, G. 2021. Effects of astaxanthin in animal models of obesity-associated diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Free radical biology and medicine [online], 171, pages 156-168. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.05.008

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: May 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2021
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 13, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2022
• Journal: Free Radical Biology and Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0891-5849
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-4596
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 171
• Pages: 156-168
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.05.008
• Keywords: Astaxanthin; Meta-analysis; Metabolic syndrome; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Obesity; Type 2 diabetes
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1335120