蝦紅素神經保護與阿茲海默氏症

Astaxanthin Neuroprotection and Alzheimer's Disease

蝦紅素大多存在於鮭魚、蝦子和龍蝦等水生動物中，它是一種類胡蘿蔔素，早期被應用於鮭魚和甲殼類水產養殖以提供天然色素，目前蝦紅素已被證實具有抗氧化活性、抗紫外線特性、眼睛健康維護、抗發炎活性、抗腫瘤活性和神經保護作用等。阿茲海默氏症是一種不可逆的神經退化性疾病，它是老年失智症最常見的形式之一，特徵是乙型－－類澱粉蛋白堆積、老化斑塊、神經纖維纏結、神經元死亡和記憶障礙。然而，迄今阿茲海默氏症的治療只能稍微緩解其症狀，還沒有有效的藥物可預防或治療此疾病，鑑於蝦紅素在人類的健康和營養等方面具有相當大的潛力和良好應用成效，期盼蝦紅素的神經保護作用可以應用於預防或治療阿茲海默氏症。

Astaxanthin (AST) is present in many aquatic animals including salmon, shrimp, and lobster, etc. AST is a carotenoid early used in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to offer natural pigments. Now AST was proved to have the anti-oxidant activity, the anti-ultraviolet property, the eye health maintenance, the anti-inflammatory activity, the anti-tumor activity, and the neuroprotection, etc. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, and AD is one of the most common forms of dementia. AD is characterized by β-amyloid accumulation, senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal death and memory disorders. However, now AD therapy can only somewhat relieve the symptoms. There is no proven medication to prevent or cure the disease. In view of AST has considerable potential and promising applications in human health and nutrition. Look forward to neuroprotection of AST can be applied to the prevention or treatment of AD.