Astaxanthin protects human ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelium cells from blue light-induced phototoxicity by scavenging singlet oxygen

This study revealed that blue light irradiation triggered apoptosis and oxidative stress in all-trans-retinal (atRAL)-exposed ARPE-19 cells by generating singlet oxygen (1O2), leading to significant cell death. We found that astaxanthin, a potent anti-oxidative xanthophyll abundant in several marine organisms including microalgae, salmon, and shrimp, significantly suppresses blue light-induced apoptotic cell death of atRAL-exposed ARPE-19 cells by scavenging 1O2. Mechanistic studies using the blue-light irradiated cells also demonstrated that the cytoprotective effects of astaxanthin can be attributed to scavenging of 1O2 directly. Our results suggest the potential value of astaxanthin as a dietary strategy to prevent blue light-induced retinal degeneration including AMD.PMID:37897411 | DOI:10.1080/10715762.2023.2277144
Source: Free Radical Research - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research