Shrimp waste extract and astaxanthin: rat alveolar macrophage, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Unlabelled: Astaxanthin is a carotenoid known to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study examined if shrimp astaxanthin modulates the production of superoxide (O(-)(2)), nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rat alveolar macrophages. The oxidative effect was induced by phorbol myristate acetate and lipopolysacharide.