Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. This study demonstrates that astaxanthin supplementation may protect against photo-aging by reducing inflammation and collagen breakdown and improving skin elasticity and moisture retention.
Astaxanthin is one of the most common antioxidants found in the red pigment of crustacean shells (crabs, shrimp), and salmon 1. Its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to reduce oxidative stress in obese individuals and smokers, prevent oxidative DNA damage, reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system 2. Just eight milligrams of astaxanthin per day has been shown to increase immune system strength and maintain cellular health in women 3 and 20 milligrams per day produced similar benefits in obese patients 4.
Skin aging, which manifests as wrinkles, elasticity loss, and age spots, can be due to UVB irradiation in which collagen and elastic breakdown due release of inflammatory cytokines and the ensuing excessive matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) secretion by dermal fibroblasts. Therefore finding ways to suppress UV- irradiation induced inflammatory cytokines and secretion of MMPs is crucial for inhibiting age-related skin deterioration 5,6.
This study’s objective was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of astaxanthin on skin aging in both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro study assessed the effect of astaxanthin on UV-irradiated (5 mJ/cm2 UVB) epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Keratinocytes were cultured in mediums containing varying doses of 0, 1, 5 or 10 uM of astaxanthin. Collected mediums were tested for levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-8, and TNF-α.
- All cytokine levels significantly increased in the UV-irradiated medium when compared to the non-UV irradiated medium; however, when exposed to the media derived from increasing doses of astaxanthin-treated UV-irradiated keratinocytes, the cytokines decreased in a dose dependent manner. (P<0.05).
Fibroblasts were then grown in the media derived from keratinocytes treated with 0, 1, 5, and 10uM of astaxanthin both before and after irradiation with UVB. MMP-1 levels decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner with increasing concentrations of astaxanthin in the media derived from astaxanthin-treated keratinocytes (P<0.01).
This in vitro study showed that astaxanthin inhibited both inflammatory cytokine release from epidermal keratinocytes and MMP-1 secretion from dermal fibroblasts in response to UVB irradiation.
The in vivo study tested the effect of astaxanthin on facial skin. Fifty-nine women were assigned to either 12 mg high dose astaxanthin (n=22), 6 mg low dose (n=22) or 0 mg dose placebo (n=21) for 16 weeks. Before and after the study, the researchers measured facial skin wrinkle depth and obtained facial skin samples to measure the resistance of the skin cells to ultraviolet radiation.
- After 16 weeks researchers noted that while skin moisture and deep wrinkles were not significantly changed in the astaxanthin-treated groups they were significantly worse in the placebo group. Specifically, the average wrinkle depth increased by 35.5% (45 to 61 micrometers, p < 0.05) and the deepest wrinkle depth increased by 36.3% (110 to 150 micrometers, p < 0.05).
- Skin elasticity of the cheek improved significantly in the 12 mg astaxanthin group at week eight (P<0.002) compared to the placebo group.
The in vivo clinical study demonstrated that astaxanthin supplementation significantly reduced wrinkle formation and moisture loss, improved skin elasticity and reduced cytokine release by epidermal keratinocytes.
Researchers conclude, “oral astaxanthin supplements are expected to inhibit inflammation-mediated skin deterioration, such as wrinkle formation and skin moisture decline, that appears in aged skin” and that “long-term astaxanthin supplementation may inhibit skin deterioration induced over time by environmental damage and consequently slow the skin aging process.”
Source: Taming, Komi, Nobuko Hong, Maluku Fujishita, Yu Takahashi, and Yuki Adachi. “Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration.” Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 61, no. 1 (2017): 33-39.
© Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition
Posted October 23, 2017.
References:
- Miki, W, Yamaguchi, K, Konosu, S. (1982) Comparison of carotenoids in the ovaries of marine fish
- Miki W, Yamaguchi K, Konosu S. Comparison of carotenoids in the ovaries of marine fish and shellfish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry. 1982;71(1):7-11.
- Kidd P. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential. Alternative Medicine Review. 2011;16(4).
- Park JS, Chyun JH, Kim YK, Line LL, Chew BP. Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutrition and Metabolism. 2010;7(1).
- Esterbauer H, Jürgens G, Quehenberger O, Koller E. Autoxidation of human low density lipoprotein: loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E and generation of aldehydes. Journal of lipid research. 1987;28(5):495-509.
- Fisher GJ, Datta SC, Talwar HS, et al. Molecular basis of sun-induced premature skin ageing and retinoid antagonism. 1996.
- Rabe JH, Mamelak AJ, McElgunn PJ, Morison WL, Sauder DN. Photoaging: mechanisms and repair. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;55(1):1-19.
