Astaxanthin to help manage asthma in polluted areas
Investigating Astaxanthin as a Novel Therapy for Asthma Management in Polluted Environments
This trial will test whether taking astaxanthin supplements can reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function and asthma control in adults with mild-to-moderate asthma who are exposed to air pollution.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Middlesex University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London, Barnet) |
| Trial ID | NCT07507682 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-period crossover trial in 25 non-smoking adults with mild-to-moderate asthma. Participants receive 12 mg/day astaxanthin or matched placebo for 4 weeks, then after a 3-week washout switch to the other treatment for another 4 weeks. Outcomes include FeNO, spirometry, impulse oscillometry, body plethysmography, hypertonic saline challenge with induced sputum, home peak flow monitoring, questionnaires, and exploratory thoracic bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy. Indoor and personal air pollution exposures are measured throughout to examine whether pollution modifies symptoms, airway responsiveness, and response to astaxanthin.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–59 with physician-diagnosed mild-to-moderate asthma (GINA step 1–3), stable maintenance treatment for at least four weeks, non-smokers/non-vapers, and willing to avoid antioxidant supplements and high-astaxanthin foods are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with severe or recently exacerbated asthma, current smokers or vapers, those on unstable therapy, or those regularly taking antioxidant supplements or high-astaxanthin diets are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, astaxanthin could help lower airway inflammation and improve breathing and symptom control for adults with mild-to-moderate asthma, especially those exposed to higher pollution levels.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical work and small human studies suggest antioxidants like astaxanthin may reduce airway inflammation, but robust clinical evidence in asthma—particularly in polluted settings—is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 18+ y * Confirmed clinical diagnosis of mild-to-moderate asthma, defined as: * A physician diagnosed asthma condition consistent with BTS/NICE/SIGN (2024) * Asthma managed at GINA (2024) step 1-3 therapy level, with stable maintenance treatment for ≥4 weeks prior to enrolment * No asthma exacerbation requiring systemic corticosteroids within the preceding 6-8 weeks (those with suspected Asthma will be invited to a familiarisation and eligibility session where they will have clinical investigations to assess for asthma and thus be included or excluded) * Ability to demonstrate acceptable and repeatable spirometry in accordance with ATS/ERS standards * Willing to refrain from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplementation (e.g. Omega-3, turmeric, NSAID supplements) for the duration of the study * Not consuming high dietary ASTX sources (e.g., frequent salmonid or crustacean intake), assessed at screening * non-smoking and non-vaping * Able and willing to take daily study capsules and attend all required visits * Able and willing to complete home monitoring, including peak flow, air-quality monitoring, and questionnaires * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current smokers or vapers which is associated with chronic airway remodelling, reduce hyperresponsiveness to bronchodilators, and increased neutrophilic inflammation, which can obscure the true effects of asthma-target interventions * Respiratory tract infection within the preceding 4 weeks * Pregnant or lactating individuals * Presence of significant co-morbidities, including CVD or autoimmune or systemic inflammatory diseases * Renal or gastrointestinal disorders that may affect astaxanthin absorption and metabolism * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to ASTX or any components of the study supplement * History of current evidence of alcohol or substance abuse * Participation in another interventional drug or supplement study within the preceding 3 months * Use of medicines with a narrow therapeutic index where supplement interactions may pose risk (e.g., ciclosporin/tacrolimus, warfarin), assessed by investigator * Other significant chronic respiratory disease (e.g., COPD, bronchiectasis)
Where this trial is running
London, Barnet
- Middlesex University — London, Barnet, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ahmet Celen, PhD in Biomedical Science
- Email: AC1534@live.mdx.ac.uk
- Phone: +447840475597
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.