Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100700, China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Astaxanthin on enhancing the function of anti-oxidative damage in osteoblast. METHODS: MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were randomly divided into five groups, including control group, model group, Astaxanthin group [low-dose (1 x 10(-7) mol/L), middle-dose (1 x 10(-6) mol/L), high-dose (1 x 10(-5) mol/L)], in which the activity of cells, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid oxygen (LPO) and membrane fluidity were tested and compared. RESULTS: Compared with Astaxanthin groups, the activity of cells, SOD activity and membrane fluidity in the model group were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). However, the contents of ROS and LPO were significantly raised (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: H2O2 can cause oxidative damage of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, but Astaxanthin can prevent or decrease its influence.