Abstract
Carotenoids have been demonstrated to possess various effects on human health. However, there is no report about the effects of carotenoids on degranulation of mast cell that is critical for type I allergy. We recently found the inhibitory effect of carotenoids on antigen-induced degranulation of mast cells. Fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin and β-carotene inhibited antigen-induced aggregation and translocation of high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) to lipid rafts which are known as platforms. It is interesting to verify the relationship between the multiple bioactive effects of carotenoids and modulation of lipid rafts’ function.
