Protective Effects of Oral Astaxanthin Nanopowder against Ultraviolet-Induced Photokeratitis in Mice

Figure 3

Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. (a) Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). ROS were investigated through DHE staining. Upon reaction between ROS and DHE, DHE form, a red fluorescence, produced, namely, 2-hydroxyethidium. ROS were strongly detected in the UVB-irradiated groups, lutein, and bilberry. In contrast, the nano-AST group displayed a weak signal of ROS, with some reduction observed in AST oil as well. Scale bar = 25 μm. (b) DHE staining quantification revealed significantly reduced luminosity values in nano-AST- () and AST oil- () treated groups. Lutein and bilberry extract administration did not result in significant reduction of ROS signal compared to the UVB control. (eyes) per group. n.s., ; ; ; .

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