RESUMO
AIM: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on antioxidant parameters of dental pulp from diabetic rats. The hypothesis tested was that supplementation of diabetic rats with astaxanthin might eliminate, or at least attenuate, the defect in their antioxidative status. METHODOLOGY: Wistar rats (n=32) were divided into four groups: untreated control, treated control, untreated diabetic and treated diabetic rats. A prophylactic dose of astaxanthin (20 mg kg(-1) body weight) was administered daily by gavage for 30 days. On day 23, diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan (60 mg kg(-1) body weight). After 7 days of diabetes induction, the rats were killed, and pulp tissue from incisor teeth removed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase activities were determined. Data were compared by anova and the Newman-Keuls test (P<0.05). RESULTS: Diabetes caused a reduction in SOD, GPx and reductase activity in dental pulp tissue. Astaxanthin had no effect on SOD and catalase activities; however, it stimulated GPx in control and diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes altered the antioxidant system in dental pulp tissue; astaxanthin partially improved the diabetic complications.