Astaxanthin Alleviated La ₂ O ₃ Nanoparticle-Induced Liver Injury by Activating the Transsulfuration Pathway in Mice

The mechanism underlying hepatic toxicity induced by lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La 2 O 3 NPs), which are increasingly utilized in optical glasses, batteries, alloys and water treatment, remains unknown. Astaxanthin (ASX), a red carotenoid pigment with antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, exerts hepatoprotective properties via its antioxidant capacity. Treatment with ASX treatment significantly reduced La 2 O 3 NP-induced histopathological liver injury and ultrastructural changes in liver cells and altered the oxidative stress parameters in the liver. ASX increased several metabolites of the transsulfuration pathway such as S -adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), cysteine, and homocysteine, and it prevented the decreased expression of transsulfuration pathway-related genes triggered by La 2 O 3 NPs both at mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, ASX had protective effects against La 2 O 3 NP-induced damage, potentially by activating the transsulfuration pathway and inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and hepatic apoptosis.