Gene expression regulating agent

Abstract

An object of the invention is to provide a gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester. Abnormal gene expression due to, for example, oxidative stress can be treated, improved, and/or prevented, and diseases caused by the abnormal gene expression can be treated, improved, and/or prevented. A gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester are provided and are useful for treating, improving, and/or preventing the symptom caused by the abnormal gene expression, that is, excessive expression or suppression of expression.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating a subject in need of regulating its gene expression, comprising administering to the subject at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         9 . A method for regulating cytokine-related gene expression in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         10 . A method for regulating TGF-α-related gene expression in subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         11 . A method for regulating the expression of a gene related to the increase and decrease of muscle cell and bone cell in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         12 . The method for regulating gene expression according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof is administered as an effective ingredient in the form of a food or a drink. 
     
     
         13 . A method for using at least one of isolated astaxanthin and an ester thereof in order to produce a gene expression regulating agent, wherein the gene expression regulating agent comprises at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing muscle atrophy in a subject having muscle atrophy, comprising administering to the subject at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof is administered as an effective ingredient in the form of a food or a drink. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a subject having diabetes, comprising administering to the subject at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein at the least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof is administered as an effective ingredient in the form of a food or a drink.