Conclusion
Neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin as a Ca homeostasis regulator should be noted throughout neurodegenerative disorders, and neurosurgery applications.
Methods
Primary cortical neurons were prepared from embryonic day 16-Sprague Dawley rat embryos. The cultures were treated with 10 nM and 20 nM astaxanthin on day 7. NMDA subunits, LVSCC-A1C and LVSCC-A1D, calbindinD28k and parvalbumin mRNA expression levels was determined by qRT-PCR at 4, 24 and 48 hours.
Results
Our findings indicate that astaxanthin could have direct or indirect outcome on calcium homeostasis by regulating mRNA expression levels of NMDA subunits, LVSCC-A1C and LVSCC-A1D, calbindinD28k and parvalbumin by a dose and time dependent manner.