Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation

July 15, 2024 updated by: Muhammed Mustafa Atakan, Hacettepe University

Impact of Four Weeks of Astaxanthin Supplementation at Varied Doses on Muscle Pain, Muscle Damage Markers, and Total Antioxidant Status in Exercising Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory carotenoid. Research examining whether astaxanthin (AX) could counteract exercise-induced muscle damage and improve exercise capacity reported inconsistent results.Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the impact of 4 weeks supplementation with AX on muscle damage markers, total antioxidant status, and subjective marker of muscle pain. Twenty-four males were randomly assigned to the AX12 group (12 mg/day; n=8), AX36 group (36 mg/day; n=9), or placebo group (PLC; n=7). After 4 weeks of supplementation, blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after, and at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours following eccentric arm exercise at 85% of predetermined one repetition maximum to assess muscle damage markers (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), total antioxidant status (malondialdehyde and uric acid), and muscle pain levels were evaluated using the Numerical Visual Pain Scale0-10.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study followed a placebo-controlled, double-blind (participants and co-researcher administering the supplementation), and three-group parallel design to examine the effects of an AX supplement on muscle pain, muscle damage markers, and total antioxidant status (TAS).

Participants reported to the laboratory on 2 separate occasions: one initial session to measure anthropometrics and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) strength of the arm muscles and as well as to collect resting venous blood samples, prior to the four-week supplementation period. Upon arrival at the laboratory for their initial visits, each participant underwent measurements of body mass (MC 780 ST Black) and body height (Telescopic Height Meter), after which resting venous blood samples were collected from the median antecubital vein by a healthcare professional.

Following these baseline measurements, participants were assigned to one of the groups through a strict randomization process, which included selecting boxes numbered up to 24, all with the same size, color, and pattern. Participants were asked to choose one of the random numbers accompanied by an independent person other than the researchers. This process was recorded by the supervisor in paper-based surveys and digitally. Subsequently, all participants were instructed to consume their corresponding supplements (4 mg/day AX, 12 mg/day AX or 12 mg/day PLC) for 4 weeks.

After the 4 weeks of supplementation, participants reported to the laboratory for the post-supplementation measurements that included the collection of blood samples at rest, immediately after, as well as at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours following completing eccentric arm exercises performed at 85% of predetermined 1RM.

Before obtaining blood samples (i.e., immediately after, and at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercises), participants were asked to assess their current pain levels using the Numerical Visual Pain Scale (NRS, ranging between 0-10 and 0-100) to determine any correspondence with muscle damage markers in the blood 25.

All participants were instructed to abstain from taking any medications for a minimum of 7 days prior to the study and to avoid consuming vitamins, foods, or supplements containing antioxidants, as well as analgesics, aspirin, or any other anti-inflammatory drugs throughout the duration of the study. A list of AX-rich foods, beverages and vitamins was provided to each participant prior to testing and all participants were asked to avoid these items during both 4-week supplementation periods and to maintain their regular eating habits and refrain from strenuous exercise to minimize the risk of muscle damage. A WhatsApp group was created for the purpose of monitoring the participants' supplement use.

To ascertain the extent of product usage, a survey form created using Google Forms was disseminated during the supplementation period. Participants were required to approve the form on a daily basis. At the end of each day, the data entered into the Excel file created using OneDrive was reviewed by at least one researcher.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

24

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
      • Ankara, Turkey, 06690
        • Muhammed Atakan

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy males engaging in recreational activity Aged between 20 and 30 years Non-smoker Not participating in any structured training regimen (i.e., endurance or resistance training programs)

Exclusion Criteria:

Use of any supplement or regular medications, Having hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Astaxanthin (12 mg/day) group
In this group, participants ingested either 12 mg/day (AX12) for 4 weeks.
Other: Astaxanthin (12 mg/day) intervention
12 mg/day astaxanthin was administrated to all participants in the astaxanthin 12 mg/day groupfor 4 weeks. Following this supplementation protocol, we assessed the muscle damage markers (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), total antioxidant status (malondialdehyde and uric acid), and muscle pain levels were evaluated using the Numerical Visual Pain Scale0-10.
Active Comparator: Astaxanthin (36 mg/day) group
In this group, participants ingested either 36 mg/day (AX36) for 4 weeks.
Other: 36 mg/day astaxanthin intervention
36 mg/day astaxanthin was administrated to all participants in the astaxanthin 36 mg/day group for 4 weeks. Following this supplementation protocol, we assessed the muscle damage markers (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), total antioxidant status (malondialdehyde and uric acid), and muscle pain levels were evaluated using the Numerical Visual Pain Scale0-10.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
In this group, participants ingested the placebo capsules that were identical in appearance and dimensions to the astaxanthin supplement.
Other: Placebo
12 mg/day placebo was administrated to all participants in the placebo group for 4 weeks. Following the placebo supplementation, we assessed the muscle damage markers (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), total antioxidant status (malondialdehyde and uric acid), and muscle pain levels were evaluated using the Numerical Visual Pain Scale0-10.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assessment of Muscle Pain
Time Frame: 2-6 months
The pain sensation in the participants' elbow extensor and elbow flexor muscles was assessed using the NRS. NRS is one of the most widely used scales due to its simplicity and effectiveness for assessing pain intensity across various medical settings and research studies. This scale rates individuals' pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing the worst pain imaginable (1-3: mild pain, 4-6: moderate pain, 7-10: severe pain). In this study, we evaluated the participants' pain immediately after exercise and at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. For this, participants were instructed to move their arms, which were used in the 1RM eccentric arm exercise, from a fully bent position to a fully straight position. During this movement, participants were asked to rate the intensity of pain they experienced.
2-6 months
Assessment of Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Time Frame: 2-6 months
MDA is a natural product of lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is a well-known mechanism of animal and plant cell damage and suggests the level of oxidative stress or damage in cells and tissues. The MDA levels were assessed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay kits (Cayman TBARS, Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, item no. 10009055) based on the trichloroacetic acid method in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The absorbance measurements were taken using the ChemWell 2910 ELISA reader device (Awareness, Technology, Inc. Martin Hwy. Palm City, USA). The results were presented as mmol Trolox Equiv./L for TAS and µM for MDA.
2-6 months
Assessment of Total Antioxidant Status (TAS)
Time Frame: 2-6 months
Serum TAS (mmol Trolox Equiv./L) was determined using the Rel Assay Diagnostics kit (Mega Tip, Gaziantep, Turkey) using the method developed by Erel. This method mediates the production of a hydroxyl radical. The hydroxyl radical is the most powerful among biological radicals. In the test, the Fe ion solution present in reagent 1 is mixed with hydrogen peroxide present in reagent 2. Using this method, the antioxidative effect of the sample against the strong free radical reactions initiated by the hydroxyl radical produced was measured. The test had excellent sensitivity values of > 97%. Results were expressed as millimoles of Trolox equivalents per liter (mmol Trolox Equiv./L).
2-6 months
Assessment of Muscle Damage Markers: Creatine kinase (CK) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Time Frame: 2-6 months
Serum CK and LDH were analyzed on a fully automatic analyzer (Roche Cobas Integra 400 Plus, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) using ROCHE kits (Mannheim, Germany). Data were calculated using linear regression and measurements were taken at 550 nm.
2-6 months
Assessment of Uric Acid
Time Frame: 2-6 months
Uric acid were analyzed on a fully automatic analyzer (Roche Cobas Integra 400 Plus, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) using ROCHE kits (Mannheim, Germany). Data were calculated using linear regression and measurements were taken at 550 nm.
2-6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Measurement of One-Repetition Maximum (1RM) Arm Strength
Time Frame: 1-5 months
The 1RM arm strength of participants was quantified by measuring the number of biceps curl repetitions performed in a seated position, following a 10-repetition warm-up set with a load equivalent to 50% of the estimated 1RM based on the participants' experience. Following a one-minute recovery period, a first set of five repetitions was performed at 75% of 1RM. After a two-minute recovery period, a second set of three repetitions was performed at approximately 90% of 1RM. Finally, after a 4-minute recovery, incremental increases of 2.5 kg were applied for each subsequent 1RM attempt until failure. After 4 weeks of supplementation, all participants performed an eccentric arm exercise of 10 sets × 10 repetitions at 85% of 1RM, with 3-minute passive rest intervals between each set, following a 10-repetition warm-up with 50% of 1RM.
1-5 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hacettepe University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Muhammed Atakan, PhD, Hacettepe University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

April 15, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 9, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2024

Last Verified

July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IMU-GETAT-E-95961207

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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