Effect of astaxanthin and fish oil on enzymatic antioxidant system and α-amylase activity of salivary glands from rats

摘要

Salivary glands contribute to oral health. It is therefore of interest to study therapies that may favor their function and protection. AIM: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin, fish oil and association of them on enzymatic antioxidant system and functional parameters of salivary glands. METHODS: Healthy rats (n=32) were divided into 4 groups: untreated-control, astaxanthin-treated (1 mg/kg body weight- BW), fish oil-treated (10 mg EPA/kg BW and 7 mg DHA/kg BW), and fish oil plus astaxanthin-treated. A prophylactic dose was administered in each group daily by gavage, for 45 days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reductase, and α-amylase activities were determined in salivary glands and compared by ANOVA and Tukey post-test (p0.05). RESULTS: Parotid gland presented increased catalase and glutathione system and unaffected SOD activity after astaxanthin and astaxanthin plus fish oil treatment (p0.05). Fish oil stimulated only glutathione peroxidase activity of parotid gland (p0.05). Submandibular gland presented stimulated SOD and catalase, and reduced glutathione reductase activities after fish oil and fish oil plus astaxanthin treatment (p0.05). SOD and glutathione reductase activities were reduced by astaxanthin treatment in submandibular gland (p0.05). Parotid gland presented increased α-amylase activity in all groups supplemented and submandibular glands presented no changes (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Astaxanthin, fish oil and combination of them stimulated the antioxidant system and functional parameter of salivary glands, which could be beneficial to oral health.