Taking Astaxanthin Supplementation Attenuates MDA and HMGB1 Following Eccentric Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Recreationally Active Students

Background. Eccentric exercise induces mechanical stress and microstructural damage in skeletal muscle, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation that impair recovery. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) are reliable biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation. Astaxanthin, a marine-derived carotenoid, has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may mitigate these responses. Objectives. This study aimed to investigate whether 14-day astaxanthin supplementation attenuates post-exercise increases in plasma MDA and HMGB1 levels following acute eccentric exercise in recreationally active male students. Materials and Methods. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, fifty-four recreationally active male students were assigned to receive either 12 mg/day of natural astaxanthin (AST, n = 27) or placebo (PLA, n = 27) for 14 days. Participants performed a standardized eccentric exercise protocol (10 × 10 drop jumps from 60 cm) on day 16. Venous blood samples were collected at 1 hour before exercise (T0), 1 hour after exercise (T1), and 24 hours after exercise (T2) to measure plasma MDA (TBARS assay) and HMGB1 (ELISA). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA or Welch’s t-test with Bonferroni adjustment (p < 0.05). Results. Both groups exhibited significant increases in MDA and HMGB1 from T0 to T1 (p < 0.001). However, the AST group showed smaller increases in MDA (+151% vs. +187%, p = 0.021) and HMGB1 (+279% vs. +367%, p = 0.014) compared to PLA. At T2, both biomarkers declined towardsbaseline, with greater reductions observed in the AST group (MDA: −27% vs. −15%, p = 0.018; HMGB1: −55% vs. −40%, p = 0.012). Conclusions. Fourteen days of astaxanthin supplementation attenuated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses following eccentric exercise, as evidenced by lower elevations of MDA and HMGB1 compared to placebo. These findings suggest that astaxanthin may be an effective nutritional strategy to protect against exercise-induced oxidative damage and modulate inflammation in physically active individuals.