Kilyos Assessoria, Cursos e Palestras, São Paulo, SP 01311‑100, Brazil.
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508‑000, Brazil.
Int J Mol Med. 2021 Jan;47(1):37-48. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4783. Epub 2020 Nov 4.
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress and inflammation are pathophysiological processes involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases; thus, anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant agents that modulate redox balance have become research targets so as to evaluate their molecular mechanisms of action and therapeutic properties. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid of the xanthophyll group, has potent antioxidant properties due to its molecular structure and its arrangement in the plasma membrane, factors that favor the neutralization of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This carotenoid also has prominent anti‑inflammatory activity, possibly interrelated with its antioxidant effect, and is also involved in the modulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. Considering the potential beneficial effects of astaxanthin on cardiovascular health evidenced by preclinical and clinical studies, the aim of the present review was to describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties of this carotenoid in cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. The beneficial properties and safety profile of astaxanthin indicate that this compound may be used for preventing progression or as an adjuvant in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
心血管疾病是全球最常见的死亡原因。氧化应激和炎症是心血管疾病发展过程中的病理生理过程；因此，抗炎和抗氧化剂可以调节氧化还原平衡，已成为研究目标，以评估其作用的分子机制和治疗特性。虾青素是一种叶黄素类胡萝卜素，由于其分子结构及其在质膜中的排列方式，有利于中和活性氧和氮物种，因此具有很强的抗氧化特性。这种类胡萝卜素还具有显著的抗炎活性，可能与其抗氧化作用有关，并且还参与调节脂质和葡萄糖代谢。鉴于临床前和临床研究证明虾青素对心血管健康可能有益，本综述的目的是描述与这种类胡萝卜素在心血管疾病（特别是动脉粥样硬化）中的抗氧化和抗炎特性相关的分子和细胞机制。虾青素的有益特性和安全性表明，该化合物可用于预防疾病进展或作为心血管疾病治疗的辅助剂。
