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Protective effect of astaxanthin on myocardial injury induced by autologous liver transplantation in rats in conjunction with the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated astaxanthin's cardioprotective effects in rat autologous orthotopic liver transplantation. Male Wistar rats received astaxanthin (500 mg/kg) for two weeks before transplantation, with controls including sham, transplant-only, and astaxanthin plus all-trans retinoic acid groups. Astaxanthin pre-conditioning significantly reduced myocardial injury markers: IL-6 decreased 2.3-fold, cTnI decreased 1.8-fold, and TNF-α decreased 2.1-fold versus transplant controls. SOD activity increased 1.6-fold while MDA levels decreased 2.4-fold. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio improved 2.2-fold. All-trans retinoic acid negated these protective effects. Astaxanthin pre-conditioning alleviated myocardial injury via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, demonstrating therapeutic potential for cardiac protection during liver transplantation.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-20732-0

Authors: Shujun Lu, Yajing Zhang, Yiqi Weng

Institutions: Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Organ Transplantation Techniques and Outcomes

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690