Population and Study design
In the double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial manner,
Forty-four volunteers with type 2 diabetes were joined to this study.
These individuals referred to the Diabetes Research Center at the Ahvaz
University of Medical Sciences and met our inclusion criteria including
30-60 years old subjects, definitive diagnosis of type II diabetes with
no insulin therapy, no pregnancy and lactation, no self-reported
specific diseases and malignancies, no kidney failure, no heart disease,
no thyroid and other inflammatory disease, no vitamin and antioxidant
supplement during the last 6 months, and no smoking and drinking. The
written consent was obtained from each individual before joining to the
project.
All processes were performed under the supervision of a nutritionist at
each step, during which the participants were counseled to eat an exact
diet, perform physical activity, and take blood glucose lowering drugs.
Qualified researchers performed all the data collection and
measurements. Basal characteristics were collected by the interviewers
which is presented before for subjects (n = 22) or placebo
(n = 22) for 8 weeks. In a double‑blinded fashion, subjects
received 8mg of oral Astaxanthin/d (nature vision; USA) which was
derived from Haematococcus pluvialis (microalgae) and inactive
ingredients which were used for both supplement and placebo were
Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrytalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Silicon
Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. Food consumption was recorded before,
during and after the study period (3-day food records), according to
volume or weight and type of food. To assess energy and macronutrient
intake, the dietary data were analyzed using Nutritionist IV software
(Version 4.1, First Databank Division, The Hearst Corporation, and San
Bruno, CA, USA). During each 2-week appointment, the participants’
compliance to the study protocol was assessed by numeration the residual
AST tablets, and asking them to preserve their habitual diet, lifestyle,
and medication ingestion.