Systematic review/Meta-analysis Lipid profile and glucose changes after supplementation with astaxanthin: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Many studies have shown that oral supplementation with astaxanthin may be a novel potential treatment for inflammation and oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases, but evidence of the effects on lipid profile and glucose is still inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of astaxanthin supplementation on plasma lipid and glucose concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The search included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EMBASE (up to November 27, 2014) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid profile and glucose levels. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, methods and outcomes. RESULTS: Seven studies meeting inclusion criteria with 280 participants were selected for this meta-analysis; 163 participants were allocated to the astaxanthin supplementation group and 117 to the control group. A random-effect meta-analysis of data from 7 RCTs (10 treatment arms) did not show any significant effect of supplementation with astaxanthin on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.52 mg/dl, 95% CI: -8.69 to -5.66, p = 0.679), LDL-C (WMD: +1.25 mg/dl, 95% CI: -6.70 to +9.21, p = 0.758), HDL-C (WMD: +1.75 mg/dl, 95% CI: -0.92 to +4.42, p = 0.199), triglycerides (WMD: -4.76 mg/dl, 95% CI: -21.52 to +12.00, p = 0.578), or glucose (WMD: -2.65 mg/dl, 95% CI: -5.84 to +0.54, p = 0.103). All these effect sizes were robust, and omission of any of the included studies did not significantly change the overall estimate. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of data from 10 RCT arms did not indicate a significant effect of supplementation with astaxanthin on plasma lipid profile, but a slight glucose-lowering effect was observed. Further, well-designed trials are necessary to validate these results.
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No such changes were observed with other agents such as garlic and astaxanthin.
“whereas no such changes were observed with other agents such as garlic and astaxanthin [43,44].”
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References 55 · Cited by 80
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [35]Jia Y Kim JY Jun HJ The natural carotenoid astaxanthin, a PPAR-α agonist and PPAR-gamma antagonist, reduces hepatic lipid accumulation by rewiring the transcriptome in lipid-loaded hepatocytes Mol Nutr Food Res 2012 56 878 88 22707263
- [50]Karppi J Rissanen TH Nyyssonen K Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid peroxidation Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2007 77 3 11 17685090
- Authors
- Ursoniu, S., Sahebkar, A., Serban, M.-C., & Banach, M.
- Affiliations
- Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Medical University of Lodz (PL)
- Venue
- Archives of Medical Science
- Publisher
- Termedia Sp. z.o.o.
- Published
- 2015
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 253-266
- ISSN
- 1734-1922 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4424245
- OpenAlex
- W2403940369
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4
- FWCI
- 1.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- Archives of Medical Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Keywords
- astaxanthin, dietary supplementation, lipid profile, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, glucose-lowering effect, oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, omega-9 fatty acids, dietary fiber, dietary protein
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