USA: Astaxanthin Study on CVD Risk and Lipid Profiles

A recent study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has shown that astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant, is a safe over-the-counter (OTC) supplement that improves markers of CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk and lipid profiles in people with prediabetes and dyslipidemia.

"The authors wrote, "although the primary endpoint did not meet the prespecified significance level."

Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It can resist diseases caused by oxidative stress, such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndromes, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. There has been a rise in research showing that astaxanthin affects cardiovascular disease. However, there are some controversies about the conclusions.

Study Details

Against the above background, Theodore P. Ciaraldi from the University of California in San Diego, La Jolla, CA, and colleagues conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to determine the effects of treatment with astaxanthin on glucose tolerance, CVD markers, lipids, inflammation, and insulin action in people with dyslipidemia and prediabetes.

The study included 34 adult participants with dyslipidemia and prediabetes who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood draw, and a one-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Twenty-two were randomized to the treated group (astaxanthin 12 mg daily) and 12 to the placebo for 14 weeks. Following 12 and 24 weeks of therapy, baseline studies were repeated.

Findings

• After 24 weeks, astaxanthin treatment significantly reduces total cholesterol (-0.30 ± 0.14 mM) and LDL-cholesterol (-0.33 ± 0.11 mM).
• Astaxanthin also lowered the levels of the CVD risk markers L-selectin (-0.08 ± 0.03 ng/mL), fibrinogen (-473 ± 210 ng/mL), and fetuin-A (-10.3 ± 3.6 ng/mL).
• The effects of astaxanthin treatment did not reach statistical significance. Still, there were trends towards improvements in the primary outcome measure, insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose disposal (+0.52 ±0.37 mg/m²/min), as well as fasting [Insulin] (-5.6 ± 8.4 pM), and HOMA2-IR (-0.31 ± 0.16), suggesting improved insulin action.
• The authors did not observe any consistent significant differences from baseline for any of these outcomes in the placebo group.
• Astaxanthin was well tolerated and safe, with no clinically significant adverse events.

"Although the primary endpoint did not meet the prespecified significance level, these data indicate that astaxanthin is a safe OTC supplement that improves markers of CVD risk and lipid profiles in individuals with prediabetes and dyslipidemia," the researchers conclude.

Reference

Ciaraldi, Theodore P., et al. "Astaxanthin, a Natural Antioxidant, Lowers Cholesterol and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals With Prediabetes and Dyslipidemia." Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 2023.