Researchers hailing from Russia have determined that administering astaxanthin—an antioxidant sourced from algae—reverses mitochondrial dysfunction within heart muscle cells and bolsters their resilience against stress induced by consistent alcohol consumption. This finding was communicated via the press office of the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), situated in Pushchino.
The experts evaluated the effect of this compound on the cardiac tissue of rats exhibiting severe alcohol dependence. Chronic ethanol intake, as the investigators clarified, triggers cardiac rhythm irregularities by causing widespread damage to cellular “powerhouses.” This pathological process results in the demise of cardiomyocytes, subsequently leading to arrhythmias, elevated blood pressure, ischemia, and ketoacidosis.
Incorporating the astaxanthin supplement into the diet of the test subjects successfully restored mitochondrial respiratory function, normalizing both their structure and calcium homeostasis. Furthermore, the compound acted to prevent the characteristic tissue alterations in the heart typically associated with alcohol-induced damage.
“Unlike artificial antioxidants, astaxanthin possesses a singular capability to permeate mitochondrial membranes, positioning it as an optimal agent for treating ailments tied to these organelles,” stated Yulia Baburina, a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics (ITEB) of the RAS, as quoted by the press service.
Astaxanthin is already incorporated into dietary supplements and certain food items. The evidence gathered suggests its potential as a promising agent for both preventing and treating cardiomyopathies in individuals suffering from alcoholism, the researchers emphasized.
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