Canthaxanthin

Canthaxanthin/Drug Interactions:

  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene taken concomitantly significantly reduced the formation of micronuclei induced by bleomycin, an antineoplastic agent, in human lymphocyte cell cultures, in which a correlation was observed with carotenoid blood levels (64). Following radical removal of primary tumors found in organs such as the lung, breast, head and neck, and colon, the administration of canthaxanthin plus beta-carotene in humans produced a disease-free interval that was initially greater than anticipated (23; 8).
  • Photosensitizers Photosensitizers : Research in humans, bacteria, and animals suggests that canthaxanthin may prevent or lessen photosensitivity by endogenous or exogenous photosensitizers (53), therefore potentially triggering interactions with drugs that cause photosensitivity.

    • Canthaxanthin/ Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene taken concomitantly significantly reduced the formation of micronuclei induced by bleomycin, an antineoplastic agent, in human lymphocyte cell cultures, in which a correlation was observed with carotenoid blood levels (64). Following radical removal of primary tumors found in organs such as the lung, breast, head and neck, and colon, the administration of canthaxanthin plus beta-carotene in humans produced a disease-free interval that was initially greater than anticipated (23; 8).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In humans, a single oral dose of canthaxanthin combined with alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein protected cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids from oxidative modification (6). A carotenoid derivative, Girard's reagent P (GRP) 2- canthaxanthin, is a dication that has a large singlet-oxygen quenching constant (38; 39). Canthaxanthin is carried in both LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) moieties (10) and as part of a carotenoid mixture, decreasing circulating cholesterol oxidation products, and it may be important in reducing oxidative stress (6; 9).
  • PhotosensitizersPhotosensitizers: Research in humans, bacteria, and animals suggests that canthaxanthin may prevent or lessen photosensitivity by endogenous or exogenous photosensitizers (53), therefore potentially triggering interactions with drugs that cause photosensitivity.
  • VitaminsVitamins: Oral canthaxanthin increased the concentration of serum carotenoids in participants, although a change in the level of retinol-binding protein in plasma was lacking (18). Canthaxanthin theoretically may compete with other carotenes for incorporation into micelles, exchanging carotenoids between lipoproteins postprandially, inhibiting cleavage of provitamin A (65), and potentially interacting during absorption (63).

    • Canthaxanthin/Food Interactions:

  • FiberFiber: Fiber from food or supplements decreased the antioxidative effect of canthaxanthin in LDL, theoretically by reducing the bioavailability of these antioxidants in the gut (66; 67). Consumption of fiber also reduced absorption of canthaxanthin (67; 66).
  • Foods containing beta-caroteneFoods containing beta-carotene: Beta-carotene has the potential to inhibit the appearance of canthaxanthin in plasma, chylomicrons, and VLDL subfractions; however, reports of canthaxanthin inhibiting beta-carotene are lacking (63).

    • Canthaxanthin/Lab Interactions:

  • ApheresisApheresis: Canthaxanthin was lower in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia who were given a single LDL immunoapheresis treatment. Canthaxanthin concentrations were also lower relative to the tocopherols (68).
  • ElectroretinogramsElectroretinograms: Oral ingestion of canthaxanthin increased a- and b-wave peak latencies (32).
  • Immune cellsImmune cells: In vitro, canthaxanthin differed from retinols by increasing the percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with markers for natural killer cells, producing a smaller increase in T-helper cells, and a greater increase in the expression of IL-2 receptors than 13-cRA (35).