biostudies-literatureUnknown12Li C<h4>Introduction</h4>This study aimed to investigate the damaging effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on mitochondria and skeletal muscle and to evaluate the protective role of astaxanthin (Asta), with a focus on mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation under metabolic stress.<h4>Methods</h4>HFD-fed mice and palmitate acid (PA)-stimulated C2C12 cells were treated with Asta. Skeletal muscle function, pathology, mitochondrial ultrastructure, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress levels were assessed using behavioral tests, histology, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, and biochemical assays.<h4>Results</h4>Asta did not alter body weight or serum lipid levels in HFD-fed mice but markedly alleviated skeletal muscle damage and improved function. In both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> models, Asta suppressed inflammatory gene expression, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins, reduced lipid accumulation and mitochondrial damage, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and promoted ATP production. Furthermore, Asta inhibited mitochondrial fission and lipid peroxidation in PA-stimulated C2C12 cells.<h4>Discussion</h4>Asta mitigates oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in skeletal muscle cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby preserving muscle structure and function. These findings highlight Asta's potential as a therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle protection in metabolic stress conditions.Frontiers in veterinary science1577408https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12439717biostudies-literatureAstaxanthin alleviates oxidative stress and skeletal muscle damage by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.PMC12439717Li CJiang TYan YWang KfalseAstaxanthin alleviates oxidative stress and skeletal muscle damage by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.<h4>Introduction</h4>This study aimed to investigate the damaging effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on mitochondria and skeletal muscle and to evaluate the protective role of astaxanthin (Asta), with a focus on mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation under metabolic stress.<h4>Methods</h4>HFD-fed mice and palmitate acid (PA)-stimulated C2C12 cells were treated with Asta. Skeletal muscle function, pathology, mitochondrial ultrastructure, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress levels were assessed using behavioral tests, histology, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, and biochemical assays.<h4>Results</h4>Asta did not alter body weight or serum lipid levels in HFD-fed mice but markedly alleviated skeletal muscle damage and improved function. In both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> models, Asta suppressed inflammatory gene expression, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins, reduced lipid accumulation and mitochondrial damage, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and promoted ATP production. Furthermore, Asta inhibited mitochondrial fission and lipid peroxidation in PA-stimulated C2C12 cells.<h4>Discussion</h4>Asta mitigates oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in skeletal muscle cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby preserving muscle structure and function. These findings highlight Asta's potential as a therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle protection in metabolic stress conditions.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-04-08T19:50:49.135Z2026-04-08T14:35:09.94ZS-EPMC124397174096358710.3389/fvets.2025.1577408