Astaxanthin and Arthritis

Though the evidence is anecdotal, recent studies have much to look forward to.

In studies, astaxanthin blocked nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit and I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation, which correlated with its inhibitory effect on I(kappa)B kinase (IKK) activity. These results suggest that astaxanthin, probably due to its antioxidant activity, inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators by blocking NF-kappaB activation and as a consequent suppression of IKK activity and I(kappa)B-alpha degradation. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14503852?dopt=Abstract)

Dogs and cats diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were fed 20 mg (dogs) or 10 mg (cats) of astaxanthin daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Results showed that in dogs, astaxanthin drastically reduced lameness and increased physical activity levels in all cases. Cats fed astaxanthin similarly showed a reversal of lameness associated with arthritis. Blood parameters showed a decrease in the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte population. Therefore, astaxanthin feeding decreased rheumatoid arthritis, an immune-based joint disease. (http://www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/182965.html)