Abstract

Collagen I and collagen III are the major structural protein in the extracellular matrix of skin produced by fibroblasts. UV exposure as well as other insults results in the infiltration of neutrophils within the epidermis and dermis, inducing collagen damage and contributing to the process of photo-aging. To study the efficiency of Astaxanthin as protection from collagen damage induced by primed neutrophils, we first studied the effect of Astaxanthin on neutrophil activation. Astaxanthin inhibited the production of superoxides and MPO in TNFa-stimulated neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner in a range of 5-50 mM. The addition of neutrophils activated with TNFa to normal human dermal fibroblast cultures, caused significant collagen I and collagen III damage. To study whether Astaxanthin may protect from collagen damage, it was added to neutrophils activated with TNFa for 10 min before their addition to fibroblasts. Astaxanthin prevented both collagen I and collagen III damage induced by activated neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner in the co-cultures in correlation with the inhibition of both NADPH oxidase-producing superoxides and MPO activity-producing halides. The addition of Astaxanthin to fibroblast cultures did not increase their expression. In conclusion, the results suggest that Astaxanthin is effective against collagen damage in fibroblasts induced by neutrophils, thus indicating Astaxanthin's possible potential for enhanced skin health.