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Aging Jun 2023Chondrocyte degeneration and classically activated macrophage (AM)-related inflammation play critical roles in osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we explored the effects of...
Chondrocyte degeneration and classically activated macrophage (AM)-related inflammation play critical roles in osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we explored the effects of astaxanthin and Rspo2 on OA and . We observed that the Rspo2 gene was markedly elevated in synovial tissues of OA patients compared with healthy controls. In 2D cultures, Rspo2 and inflammatory factors were enhanced in AMs compared with nonactivated macrophages (NMs), and the protein expression levels of Rspo2, β-catenin, and inflammatory factors were increased, and anabolic markers were reduced in osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OACs) compared to normal chondrocytes (NCs). Astaxanthin reversed these changes in AMs and OACs. Furthermore, Rspo2 shRNA significantly abolished inflammatory factors and elevated anabolic markers in OACs. In NCs cocultured with AM, and in OACs cocultured with AMs or NMs, astaxanthin reversed these changes in these coculture systems and promoted secretion of Rspo2, β-catenin and inflammatory factors and suppressed anabolic markers compared to NCs or OACs cultured alone. In AMs, coculture with NCs resulted in a slight elevation of Rspo2 and AM-related genes, but not protein expression, compared to culture alone, but when cocultured with OACs, these inflammatory mediators were significantly enhanced at both the gene and protein levels. Astaxanthin reversed these changes in all the groups. , we observed a deterioration in cartilage quality after intra-articular injection of Rspo2 associated with medial meniscus (DMM)-induced instability in the OA group, and astaxanthin was protective in these groups. Our results collectively revealed that astaxanthin attenuated the process of OA by abolishing Rspo2 both and .
Topics: Humans; Chondrocytes; beta Catenin; Osteoarthritis; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Macrophages; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 37354487
DOI: 10.18632/aging.204837 -
Bioresource Technology Feb 2023This paper aims to explore the role of proline (Pro) in the production of biomass and astaxanthin (AST) in stress-induced Haematococcus pluvialis. The astaxanthin...
This paper aims to explore the role of proline (Pro) in the production of biomass and astaxanthin (AST) in stress-induced Haematococcus pluvialis. The astaxanthin content and productivity were 24.02 mg g and 2.22 mg/L d under abiotic stresses, respectively. After 100 μM Pro supplementation, the biomass, AST and lipid contents reached 1.43 g/L, 29.91 mg g and 56.79 %, which were enhanced by 19.16 %, 33.52 % and 11.08 %, respectively, compared to the control. Pro-treated regulated chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein accumulation and upregulated carotenogenic, lipogenic and antioxidant enzymes-associated gene levels; as well as increased endogenous Pro content, but reduced ROS (Reactive oxygen species) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels and alleviated oxidative stress, which might be involved in AST biosynthesis. Further data showed Pro has a positive role in biomass and AST coaccumulation in different H. pluvialis species, suggesting application of Pro was an effective strategy to improve AST productivity of H. pluvialis.
Topics: Chlorophyta; Chlorophyceae; Xanthophylls; Chlorophyll
PubMed: 36528181
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128488 -
Food Chemistry Feb 2023The pigment astaxanthin, one of the carotenoids, is regarded as a functional factor with various biological activities, widely applied in feed, nutraceutical, and...
The pigment astaxanthin, one of the carotenoids, is regarded as a functional factor with various biological activities, widely applied in feed, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. However, its low stability and poor water solubility limit its application. Examples in nature suggest that binding to proteins is a simple and effective method to improve the stability and bioavailability of astaxanthin. Proteins from algae, fish, and crustaceans have all been demonstrated to have astaxanthin-binding capacity. Inspired by nature, artificial astaxanthin-protein systems have been established in foods. Binding to proteins could bring aquatic species various colors, and changes in the conformation of astaxanthin after binding to proteins leads to color changes. The review innovatively summarizes multiple examples of proteins as means of protecting astaxanthin, giving a reference for exploring and analyzing pigment-protein interactions and providing a strategy for carotenoids stabilization and color regulation, which is beneficial to the broader and deeper applications of carotenoids.
Topics: Animals; Carotenoids; Solubility; Water; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 36174351
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134343 -
Biotechnology Advances Nov 2020Although biotechnologies for astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis have been developed for decades and many production facilities have been established... (Review)
Review
Although biotechnologies for astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis have been developed for decades and many production facilities have been established throughout the world, the production cost is still high. This paper is to evaluate the current production processes and production facilities, to analyze the R&D strategies for process improvement, and to review the recent research advances shedding light on production cost reduction. With these efforts being made, we intent to conclude that the production cost of astaxanthin from Haematococcus might be substantially reduced to the levels comparable to that of chemical astaxanthin through further R&D and the future research might need to focus on strain selection and improvement, cultivation process optimization, innovation of cultivation methodologies, and revolution of extraction technologies.
Topics: Biotechnology; Microalgae; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 32711005
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107602 -
Open Biology Jun 2021Oxidative stress, the imbalance of the antioxidant system, results in an accumulation of neurotoxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The antioxidant system is... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress, the imbalance of the antioxidant system, results in an accumulation of neurotoxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The antioxidant system is composed of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants to maintain homeostasis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an endogenous enzymatic antioxidant that converts superoxide ions to hydrogen peroxide in cells. SOD supplementation in mice prevented cognitive decline in stress-induced cells by reducing lipid peroxidation and maintaining neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Furthermore, SOD decreased expression of BACE1 while reducing plaque burden in the brain. Additionally, Astaxanthin (AST), a potent exogenous carotenoid, scavenges superoxide anion radicals. Mice treated with AST showed slower memory decline and decreased depositions of amyloid-beta (A) and tau protein. Currently, the neuroprotective potential of these supplements has only been examined separately in studies. However, a single antioxidant cannot sufficiently resist oxidative damage to the brain, therefore, a combinatory approach is proposed as a relevant therapy for ameliorating pathological changes in AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Clinical Studies as Topic; Dietary Supplements; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Superoxide Dismutase; Treatment Outcome; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 34186009
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210013 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Feb 2022As a fat-soluble carotenoid, astaxanthin has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammation biological activities, but its poor biocompatibility and low stability limit...
As a fat-soluble carotenoid, astaxanthin has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammation biological activities, but its poor biocompatibility and low stability limit application of astaxanthin in the food industry. In this study, cauliflower-like carriers (CCs) were constructed based on caseinate, chitosan-triphenylphosphonium (TPP) and sodium alginate through an electrostatic self-assembly method to improve the biocompatibility, stability and targeting transport properties of astaxanthin. The smart CCs showed pH-response release and mitochondrial targeted characteristics. In vitro studies demonstrated that the CCs could improve the internalization of astaxanthin, and significantly inhibited the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by oxidative stress. In vivo studies revealed that the astaxanthin-loaded CCs could effectively relieve the colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate and protect the integrity of the colon tissue structure. The astaxanthin-loaded CCs could significantly inhibit the expression of inflammation factors such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, myeloperoxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nitric oxide. Moreover, the astaxanthin-loaded CCs could maintain the expression of zonula occludens-1, increase the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillaceae in the intestine. In a word, the constructed astaxanthin delivery system provided a potential application for the oral uptake hydrophobic bio-activator in intervention of ulcerative colitis.
Topics: Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Colon; Dextran Sulfate; Humans; Inflammation; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 35038495
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.01.014 -
Bioresource Technology Dec 2022In the present study, exogenous myo-inositol (MI) was applied to induce natural astaxanthin and biolipid accumulation in Haematococcus pluvialis. Under 200 μM MI,...
In the present study, exogenous myo-inositol (MI) was applied to induce natural astaxanthin and biolipid accumulation in Haematococcus pluvialis. Under 200 μM MI, algal cells exhibited 62.11 % and 34.67 % increases in astaxanthin and lipid content, respectively, compared to the control. The carotenogenesis and lipogenesis genes were upregulated by induction of MI. Interestingly, MI addition elevated the ethylene (ETH) content and activated antioxidant enzyme-associated gene levels, which could be involved in alleviating oxidative stress. Further data showed that the ETH signal played a positive function in stimulating astaxanthin biosynthesis under MI induction. Supplementation with ethephon plus MI boosted the astaxanthin content to 33.08 ± 0.03 mg g by further upregulating astaxanthin biosynthesis genes and blocking reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels, and vice versa under ETH inhibition. This study provides a potential induction approach for natural astaxanthin production and explains the role of ethylene signalling in regulating astaxanthin synthesis by H. pluvialis.
Topics: Chlorophyceae; Oxidative Stress; Ethylenes; Lipids; Inositol
PubMed: 36328171
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128222 -
Marine Drugs Aug 2020Astaxanthin is a carotenoid produced by different organisms and microorganisms such as microalgae, bacteria, yeasts, protists, and plants, and it is also accumulated in... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid produced by different organisms and microorganisms such as microalgae, bacteria, yeasts, protists, and plants, and it is also accumulated in aquatic animals such as fish and crustaceans. Astaxanthin and astaxanthin-containing lipid extracts obtained from these sources present an intense red color and a remarkable antioxidant activity, providing great potential to be employed as food ingredients with both technological and bioactive functions. However, their use is hindered by: their instability in the presence of high temperatures, acidic pH, oxygen or light; their low water solubility, bioaccessibility and bioavailability; their intense odor/flavor. The present paper reviews recent advances in the micro/nanoencapsulation of astaxanthin and astaxanthin-containing lipid extracts, developed to improve their stability, bioactivity and technological functionality for use as food ingredients. The use of diverse micro/nanoencapsulation techniques using wall materials of a different nature to improve water solubility and dispersibility in foods, masking undesirable odor and flavor, is firstly discussed, followed by a discussion of the importance of the encapsulation to retard astaxanthin release, protecting it from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The nanoencapsulation of astaxanthin to improve its bioaccessibility, bioavailability and bioactivity is further reviewed. Finally, the main limitations and future trends on the topic are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Diffusion of Innovation; Drug Compounding; Drug Stability; Food Additives; Food Handling; Humans; Molecular Structure; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Solubility; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 32752203
DOI: 10.3390/md18080406 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jul 2023The attractive biological properties and health benefits of natural astaxanthin (AXT), including its antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties, have garnered... (Review)
Review
The attractive biological properties and health benefits of natural astaxanthin (AXT), including its antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties, have garnered significant attention from academia and industry seeking natural alternatives to synthetic products. AXT, a red ketocarotenoid, is mainly produced by yeast, microalgae, wild or genetically engineered bacteria. Unfortunately, the large fraction of AXT available in the global market is still obtained using non-environmentally friendly petrochemical-based products. Due to the consumers concerns about synthetic AXT, the market of microbial-AXT is expected to grow exponentially in succeeding years. This review provides a detailed discussion of AXT's bioprocessing technologies and applications as a natural alternative to synthetic counterparts. Additionally, we present, for the first time, a very comprehensive segmentation of the global AXT market and suggest research directions to improve microbial production using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. KEY POINTS: • Unlock the power of microorganisms for high value AXT production. • Discover the secrets to cost-effective microbial AXT processing. • Uncover the future opportunities in the AXT market.
Topics: Genetic Engineering; Antioxidants; Xanthophylls; Yeasts
PubMed: 37233757
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12586-1 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2023Astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-diketo-β-carotene) is a type of C40 carotenoid with remarkable antioxidant characteristics, showing significant application prospects... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-diketo-β-carotene) is a type of C40 carotenoid with remarkable antioxidant characteristics, showing significant application prospects in many fields. Traditionally, the astaxanthin is mainly obtained from chemical synthesis and natural acquisition, with both approaches having many limitations and not capable of meeting the growing market demand. In order to cope with these challenges, novel techniques, e.g., the innovative cell engineering strategies, have been developed to increase the astaxanthin production. In this review, we first elaborated the biosynthetic pathway of astaxanthin, with the key enzymes and their functions discussed in the metabolic process. Then, we summarized the conventional, non-genetic strategies to promote the production of astaxanthin, including the methods of exogenous additives, mutagenesis, and adaptive evolution. Lastly, we reviewed comprehensively the latest studies on the synthesis of astaxanthin in various recombinant microorganisms based on the concept of microbial cell factory. Furthermore, we have proposed several novel technologies for improving the astaxanthin accumulation in several model species of microorganisms.
Topics: Mixed Function Oxygenases; Oxygenases; Xanthophylls; Carotenoids; Metabolic Engineering
PubMed: 35694786
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2080176