Abstract:Objective To explore the effects of astaxanthin on pressure injury wounds. Methods In vitro experiment: Fibroblasts were treated with different concentrations of astaxanthin and their proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay. Subsequently, fibroblasts were induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation, and the optimal concentration of astaxanthin was administered. Then the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by DHE fluorescent probes and the level of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β was evaluated by RT qPCR. In vivo experiment: To construct a pressure injury model , two circular magnets were symmetrically adsorbed on both sides of the mouse skin for 5 hours everyday. Subsequently, equal amounts of physiological saline, low-dose astaxanthin (10 mg/kg), and high-dose astaxanthin (20 mg/kg) were administered by gavage in groups. Wound images were taken regularly. After 7-day treatment, wound healing rates were counted and wound tissues were collected for histopathological staining. Results In vitro, the fluorescence intensity of DHE in the astaxanthin groups were reduced dramatically. The relative mRNA expression level of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in the astaxanthin group declined, and the level of TGF-β and IL-10 mRNA increased significantly (P<0.05). In vivo, the wound healing rate and the level of TGF-β, IL-10 in high-dose astaxanthin group increased significantly. The ROS content and the level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 dropped markedly in astaxanthin groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Astaxanthin can significanlty alleviate oxidative stress, mitigate inflammation, thus exerting a protective effect on pressure injury wounds.