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Astaxanthin supplement improves clinical outcomes, quality of life, and inflammatory factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

  • 2025
  • Food & function 16(14)
    • Ani Grigorian
    • Ali Tabatabaeyan
    • Mansour Salesi
    • Awat Feizi
    • Ali-Reza Ahmadi
    • Marzieh Kafeshani

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 60
Population
60 patients with RA
Methods
randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 20 mg day-1 of ASX supplement or placebo for 8 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
8 weeks
  • Rigorous Journal
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that results in joint destruction and progressive disability. This study aimed to determine the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) on clinical outcomes, quality of life, and inflammatory factors in patients with RA. In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients with RA were randomly allocated into two groups and given either 20 mg day-1 of ASX supplement in the intervention group (n = 30) or placebo in the control group (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained from patients at the beginning and end of the intervention to measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Clinical symptoms were also measured, including the pain intensity based on the visual analogue scale (VAS), Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). In the intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention, DAS-28, HAQ, ESR, and CRP levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the pain intensity was marginally significantly reduced. The significant differences in DAS-28, HAQ, and ESR levels persisted even after adjusting for baseline values and other covariates. However, no significant differences in the pain intensity and CRP levels were found after controlling for confounding factors (P > 0.05). The IL-6 level did not change in either group by the end of the study, and the difference between the two groups also was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). This study demonstrated the beneficial effects of ASX on some important clinical outcomes, quality of life, and inflammatory factors in patients with RA. Including it as part of their treatment plan could significantly aid in managing their condition.

Research Insights

  • Astaxanthin→Improved Quality of Life

    In the intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention, DAS-28, HAQ, ESR, and CRP levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    20 mg day-1
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