Anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin against fungal keratitis

AIM:To characterize effect of astaxanthin(ASX)in Aspergillus fumigatus(A.fumigatus)induced keratitis in mouse model.METHODS:In vivo,fungal keratitis mouse model was established in C57BL/6 mice using A.fumigatus,followed by ASX or dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)treatment.Clinical responses were evaluated by clinical score and myeloperoxidase(MPO)assay.Inflammatory cytokines were assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot,immunofluorescence,and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS:In animal model,ASX improved corneal transparency and clinical response,suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokine like IL-1β,TNF-α,and HMGB-1.Neutrophil levels have been shown to decrease in ASX-treated cornea by immunofluorescence and MPO.TLR2 and TLR4 levels were lower in ASX-treated group than DMSO-treated.CONCLUSION:ASX can suppress inflammatory response and reduce inflammatory cytokine production in mice model with A.fumigatus keratitis.