AIM: To investigate the protective effect of astaxanthin(AST)on human retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂).

METHODS:Human RPE cells were subcultured, cell activity was detected by MTT, rate of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and cell ultrastructure changes were observed under transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS:MTT results showed that cell activity elevated to(53.66%±3.25% and 70.43%±2.38% after 10^-8mol/L and 10^-4mol/L AST treated. The difference had statistically significant(P<0.05)compared with oxidative injury group(38.76%±3.74%). Flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate of RPE cells decreased to 30.23%±1.91% and 12.58%±2.12% in AST pretreated group, the difference was significant(P<0.05)compared with oxidative injury group(42.50%±1.94%); Electron microscopy showed that the morphology of cells gradually improved accompanied with the concentration of AST elevated.

CONCLUSION:AST may inhibit hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of RPE cells, it can provide reliable evidence for pursue effective medicine to prevent and treat retina injury.