Astaxanthin restores the enzymatic antioxidant profile in salivary gland of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on antioxidant parameters of salivary gland from diabetic rats. The hypothesis of the study was whether the supplementation of diabetic rats with astaxanthin might antagonize, or at least prevent, the defect in their antioxidative status.

Design: Wistar rats (n=32) were divided in 4 groups: untreated control, treated control, untreated diabetic and treated diabetic rats.